October 28, 2009

Unbearable Pain

India’s Obligation to Ensure Palliative Care

Map 1: States in which Human Rights Watch conducted field research on palliative care
Overview
Key Recommendations
Methodology
A Brief Introduction to Palliative Care and Pain Treatment
Palliative Care and Pain Treatment in India
The Plight of Patients
The Suffering Caused by Untreated Pain
The Contrast: When Patients Do Gain Access to Pain Management
Issues around Gaining Access to Pain Management
The Causes of the Palliative Care and Pain Treatment Gap
Policy
Education
Drug Availability
Map 2: States and Union Territories that have adopted the model rule
The Human Rights Analysis
National Law
The Right to Health
Palliative Care and the Right to Health
The Prohibition of Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment
A Way Forward
Refraining from Interference with and Facilitating Development of Palliative Care
Ensuring Integration of Palliative Care into Health Services
Recommendations to the INCB and Donors
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: Morphine Licensing System under Unamended State Narcotics Rules
Procedure for Obtaining a Possession License
Procedure for Obtaining Procurement Licenses
Annex 1: Model Rule
Annex 2: Palliative Care Taskforce Recommendation
Annex 3: Palliative Care Policy Kerala
Annex 4: Letter from Human Rights Watch to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Annex 5: Letter from Human Rights Watch to the Medical Council of India