With less than 1% of patients in need receiving palliative care, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is preparing to launch a multi-state implementation study. Through this initiative, it aims to develop and scale palliative care services across India’s public health system.
A Critical Yet Neglected Need
Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and improving the quality of life for patients living with serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological disorders, and advanced chronic conditions. However, despite its importance, most Indians still lack access to such care.
As reported by TOI, the demand, meanwhile, remains significant. Studies estimate that 6.21 per 1,000 people in India require palliative care, with even higher needs in rural populations and among the elderly. Globally, around 56.8 million people require these services each year, most of them in low- and middle-income countries.
Rising Burden of Serious Illness
Moreover, experts warn that this burden will increase sharply in the coming decades. According to the World Health Organization, serious health-related suffering is projected to rise by 87% by 2060. This surge will largely result from ageing populations and the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
Barriers Limiting Access
Despite the growing need, India continues to report one of the lowest levels of palliative care access globally. Several factors contribute to this gap. These include a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, limited availability of services at the grassroots level, regulatory challenges, and poor integration of palliative care into mainstream healthcare.
As a result, families often face severe consequences. In many cases, the absence of accessible care leads to high out-of-pocket expenses and increased caregiver burden, particularly for patients requiring long-term or home-based support.
A Scalable, System-Wide Approach
To address these challenges, the proposed ICMR study will develop and test scalable palliative care models. Specifically, it will integrate services across district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, and home-based care settings. Importantly, the study will cover patients across different age groups and disease conditions.
Evaluating Impact and Outcomes
The initiative will also assess whether integrating palliative care into routine health services can improve coverage and patient outcomes. In addition, it will examine its potential to reduce symptom burden, lower hospitalisation rates, and decrease financial strain on families.
A Potential Turning Point
ICMR has already invited research teams to participate in the study. Selected groups will collaborate closely with state governments and ICMR to design and implement these care models.
Public health experts believe this initiative could mark a significant turning point. If implemented effectively at scale, it could ensure that patients not only live longer but also experience better quality of life with reduced suffering.