Published on: June 28, 2014

“People only die once,” says Dr Taranjit Singh in his article “Improving quality of life of dying patients” in the Tribune dated 26 June 2014. “They (and their families) don’t always know what is available, and can’t always express preferences. Who will speak for their needs and preferences at the end days of life? Will it take another 19 years to secure funding to implement the Pain and Palliative Care policy?”

Dr Taranjit Singh is referring to the 19 years of work that it took to achieve amendment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of India. He is also referring to the National Program for Palliative Care (NPPC) created by the Government of India in 2012, which had its teeth extracted at the last minute, when the proposed budget allocation did not materialise.

Thank you, Dr Taranjit Singh, for your article highlighting the need for palliative care.