Kerala Chief Minister Unveils 'Kerala Care' Palliative Care Grid, Strengthening State's End-of-Life Care
State-of-the-Art Grid to Integrate Palliative Care Services, Enabling Effective Support for Patients and Volunteers Across Kerala
BNH NETWORK
Thiruvananthapuram, March 2, 2025 – In a significant step towards improving palliative care in the state, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan officially launched the Kerala Care Palliative Care Grid. This initiative, spearheaded by the Kerala Department of Health, aims to streamline and integrate palliative care services, offering continued support for patients and volunteers throughout the state.
The launch ceremony was attended by key officials including Health Minister Veena George and Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh. The Kerala Care Palliative Care Grid promises to be a pivotal tool in enhancing the state’s commitment to end-of-life care and palliative support.
Key Features of the Kerala Care Palliative Care Grid:
Comprehensive Care Registration: The system allows the registration of new patients for continuous palliative care and ensures that volunteer services are adequately trained and available for patient support.
Volunteer and Organization Registration: It facilitates the registration and training of volunteers, as well as non-governmental organizations providing palliative care services.
Public Access and Service Selection: The grid provides an easy-to-use interface for the public to choose the services they need, ensuring wider access to palliative care.
Evaluation and Monitoring: Dashboards at the state, district, panchayat, and ward levels allow for real-time monitoring and evaluation of palliative care activities and resources.
The Palliative Care Grid has been developed under the guidance of the Kerala Digital University, in collaboration with the state’s Health Department, marking another milestone in Kerala’s digital health initiatives.
Pioneering Palliative Care in India: Kerala has long been a leader in the implementation of palliative care services in India, with the World Health Organization (WHO) praising the state’s efforts in this domain. Kerala’s approach to palliative care has been recognized as a model for other regions, with the state integrating this care into its healthcare infrastructure through initiatives like the Nava Kerala Karma Pathratha and Ardram Mission.
The Palliative Care Grid, developed as part of the Comprehensive Palliative Care Action Plan, ensures that every patient has access to trained volunteers who provide care at their homes, creating a strong network of services in every district. Kerala has also set up specialized training centers across all districts, further strengthening its palliative care capacity.
Collaborative Effort: This initiative is being carried out with the support of the Local Self-Government Department, with a focus on delivering community-based palliative care. As highlighted by the Chief Secretary of Kerala, Sharda Muraleedharan, and Health Secretary Dr. Rajan N. Khobragade, the Kerala Care Palliative Care Grid is set to transform the way palliative care is administered across the state.
Notable Participants: The launch event saw the participation of several key figures, including the Principal Secretary of Local Self-Government, T.V. Anupama, and the Director of Social Justice, Adeel Abdullah, among others. The event also featured representatives from Kerala’s health and social welfare sectors, who underscored the importance of community participation in expanding palliative care services.
With the introduction of the Kerala Care Palliative Care Grid, Kerala is further cementing its reputation as a pioneer in the field of palliative care, providing compassionate end-of-life support that can serve as a model for the rest of India. As the program expands, it promises to bring relief and dignity to patients and families across the state.
