Published on: October 30, 2024

A senior delegation from Himachal Pradesh, led by Health Minister Col. (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, visited Pallium India in Kerala from October 23-26, 2024. The goal of this visit was to take a firsthand look at Kerala’s successful community palliative care model and Pallium India’s work, providing insights the team could potentially apply back in Himachal Pradesh.

The delegation, which included key officials from Himachal Pradesh’s health sector—Health Secretary Ms. M Sudha Devi, Mission Director NHM-HP Ms. Priyanka Verma, Deputy Mission Director NHM-HP Dr. Gopal Beri, Director of Medical Education and Research HP Dr. Rakesh Sharma, and State Program Officer (NCD) NHM HP Dr. Anadi Gupt—visited Pallium India’s head office and the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS).

Day 1: Facility Visit and Meeting with Pallium India Team

On their first day, the Himachal team visited TIPS, where they explored how palliative care services are provided through Pallium India’s facilities. The delegation then met with the CEO and other Pallium India staff to learn about the organization’s work, both in Kerala and in Himachal Pradesh, where Pallium India has been actively promoting palliative care for over a decade. The team received an overview of Pallium India’s various initiatives and its collaboration with Himachal Pradesh, which was formalized with an MoU in February 2024 to strengthen palliative care in the state.

Day 2: Home Care Visits

The following day, the Himachal delegation joined Pallium India’s home care visits, witnessing community-based palliative care delivery in action. Divided into two groups, one group went to Murukkumpuzha, and the other to Manacaud, both areas where Pallium India provides home-based care to those who need it most. These visits gave the team a clear understanding of the importance of community involvement and the holistic approach required to make palliative care more accessible. The Health Minister and his team were also warmly welcomed for lunch at a volunteer’s home, experiencing the supportive community spirit that drives palliative care in Kerala.

Day 3: Press Conference and Policy Discussion

A press conference was organized at Pallium India’s office, where the Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director of NHM Himachal Pradesh shared their experiences. They emphasized the value of Kerala’s community-focused approach, which goes beyond institutional care to embrace a more holistic vision. This model, they noted, highlights how community and home-based palliative care are crucial elements in reaching more patients effectively. The home visits also broke their myths of palliative care being only needed for end of life care.

Later, the delegation met with Mr. S M Vijayanand, ex-Chief Secretary of Kerala and Trustee of Pallium India, for a policy discussion. This meeting covered potential strategies and the roadmap for advancing palliative care in Himachal Pradesh, focusing on policy support and implementation at a local level.

Day 4: Visit to Kochi Community Health Centre

On the final day, the delegation travelled to Kochi to visit a government Community Health Centre in Mulanthuruthy. Here, they observed how palliative care is seamlessly integrated into the government healthcare system. The Himachal team was once again impressed by Kerala’s community-driven model, which has proven effective in supporting patients and families.

Looking Forward

The four-day visit was an enriching experience for the Himachal delegation. They returned with valuable insights on how palliative care can be provided with strong community involvement, combined with support from government healthcare facilities and NGOs. Pallium India looks forward to working closely with the Himachal Pradesh government to build a similar framework, expanding the reach and impact of palliative care across the state.