Palliative care is not just a medical service. It is a compassionate approach to life during illness. In India, where conversations around death and dying are often avoided, palliative care offers dignity, comfort and clarity when families need it most.
A Simple Definition
Palliative care is specialised support for people living with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, Parkinson’s, dementia and more. The focus is not on curing the illness but on improving the patient’s quality of life by relieving pain, managing symptoms and supporting emotional wellbeing.
It is care that looks beyond the hospital bed. It cares for the person, not just the disease.
When Should It Begin?
Many believe palliative care begins only when nothing else can be done. This is a myth. In fact, palliative care can start at the time of diagnosis and run alongside medical treatment.
For example, someone undergoing chemotherapy may also receive palliative care to manage nausea, fatigue and anxiety. An elderly person with heart failure may benefit from help with sleep and breathlessness. A family caring for a bedbound parent may need guidance on feeding, pressure sores or simply how to cope.
Palliative care is for any stage of a serious illness, not just the final days.
Why It Matters in India
In a country where :
Over 7 million people need palliative care every year,
Less than 2 percent have access to it,
Families often bear the full burden of care at home,
Medical decisions are complex and emotionally charged.
Palliative care becomes a vital support system.
It can reduce unnecessary hospital visits, help families navigate difficult choices and provide dignity to those who wish to stay at home, surrounded by loved ones and not machines.
What Does It Include?
A good palliative care plan in India may offer
Pain relief and symptom control for nausea, constipation, fatigue and more
Emotional support for patients and family members
Spiritual care when people begin to ask why me
Guidance on medical decisions based on what matters most to the patient
Home visits if available or video calls with trained professionals
Tools and tips for caregiving such as feeding, bathing and repositioning
Digital platforms like EkaantCare offer free, verified guidance on WhatsApp to any Indian family navigating this journey, especially in areas where access to trained doctors or nurses is limited.
How to Get Palliative Care in India
Unlike in some Western countries, India does not have care coordinators or GP-led referrals in most settings. But that does not mean you are alone.
Here are steps you can take
- Ask your treating doctor. Many hospitals now have palliative teams or can refer you
- Reach out to NGOs. Organisations like Pallium India, CanSupport and Karunashraya offer free or low-cost services
- Try digital companions. WhatsApp-based services like EkaantCare are making palliative care accessible even in small towns
- Learn and prepare. Simple changes at home such as proper bedding, pain relief and nutrition can make a big difference
Final Words
Palliative care is not about giving up. It is about choosing how to live with grace, with dignity and with support.
In India, where families are the first responders and hospitals may be far away, bringing palliative care home can change everything. Because in the end, what people want is not more machines but more moments that matter.
