Unbearable Pain
October 28, 2009

Annex 3: Palliative Care Policy Kerala

The Palliative Care Policy for the State of Kerala

The Government of Kerala has recently declared a palliative care policy highlighting the concept of community-based care and giving guidelines for the development of services with community participation for the incurably ill and bedridden patients. (HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (J)DEPARTMENT GO(P) No 109/2008/H&FWD Dated Thiruvanathapuram 15.4.2008). The new policy aims at providing palliative care to as many needy as possible in the state. The policy which put forth short-term as well as long-term objectives envisage the guiding principle of home-based care, palliative care as part of general health care and adequate orientation of available manpower and existing institutions in the heath care field. The Government has made it clear that the governmental machinery shall work in harmony with Community Based Organization (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) which have acquired training in delivery of palliative care. In practical terms, the document aims at mobilising volunteers locally, providing them with training in palliative care, empowering these trained groups to work with the health care system. The Government also expects the local self governments to offer good support to the community volunteers in this activity.

The action plan with the policy has the following immediate goals in the next two years

  • To train at least 300 volunteers in palliative care in each district
  • To conduct sensitisation programmes for 25% of all doctors, nurses and other health/social welfare workers in the state
  • At least 150 doctors and 150 nurses in the state to successfully complete the Foundation Course in Palliative Care
  • At least 50 more doctors and 50 more nurses in the state to successfully complete six weeks training in palliative care (Basic Certificate Course in Palliative Care).
  • To develop more than 100 new community-based palliative care programmes with home care services in the state with active participation of CBOs, LSGIs and local government and other health care institutions
  • To develop common bodies/platforms in at least 25% of the LSGIs to coordinate the activities
  • To develop at least four more training centres in the state for advanced training in palliative care
  • To introduce palliative care into the training programmes for elected members to LSGIs and concerned officials