Karnataka: Palliative care unit opens at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology

Bengaluru: Some 2000 cancer patients line up at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology for palliative care and around 900 are given oral morphine every year. Seeing the big demand, a specialised Palliative Care Cell was inaugurated at KMIO on Wednesday.

Principal secretary, health and family welfare, Dr Shalini Rajneesh said while the palliative care policy was officially launched last year, making Karnataka the third state after Kerala and Maharashtra to have one, the funds for it had been allocated only a month ago.

One of the first initiatives was to set up the palliative care cell, she said, adding that the concept was often misunderstood not only by ordinary people but also professionals. KMIO director Lingegowda said taluk and district doctors will be trained at the new cell.