Palliative care cells afflicted by lack of funds and staff crunch: Activists
BENGALURU: The functioning of many palliative care cells in the city has been badly hit due to lack of funds and staff. Dr M.A. Balasubramanya, CEO of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, a health and education development organisation said, “These palliative care cells are monitored under the supervision of state government. However, many of these cells are understaffed and have issues with funds and are therefore failing to serve their purpose.”
The state government had introduced palliative care policy in August, 2016 to reach out to terminally-ill patients regardless of social and economic status.
Karnataka was the third state in the country to adopt this policy after Maharashtra and Kerala.
Dr Usha Manjunath, Director of Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR) said, “At the outset, palliative care cells being recently implemented are understaffed and receive ad hoc funding.”
There are more than 60% deaths in the country due to morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).
It also stated that there are around 20,000 patients in every district around the world who are in need of palliative care, but only 2% receive it.
Experts said that palliative care should be introduced early so that patients get holistic care. Patients, doctors and other care providers have to understand that not only cancer patients, but those afflicted by thalassemia and HIV will also benefit from it.
“Palliative care can make patients lead pain free lives and control symptoms, thereby help improve adherence to therapy and decrease dropout rate,” Dr Usha added.
‘No lack of funds’
However, Dr P.V. Ramamani, coordinator of the palliative care policy refuted the allegations against the department.
“There was an issue with funds at initial stages when the policy was introduced. Sometimes there is a slight delay because the funds need to be transferred into NHM (National Health Mission) under which the palliative policy is made.”
She also said that palliative care cells will soon be introduced at five districts (Bengaluru rural, Mysuru, Dakshina Kannada, Raichur and Dharwad) in a couple of months.
“It’s also necessary to incorporate palliative care in the curriculum of medicine, nursing and paramedical courses at graduation level itself,” Dr Ramamani added.
