Published on: March 3, 2025

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, the Directorate of Health Services, Goa, and the Goa Medical College, launched the Goa State Palliative Care Policy. The policy was launched to facilitate the implementation of the National Program for Palliative Care (NPPC).

Goa is the smallest state of India with an area of 3700 square kilometres and a population of about 15 lakhs. Goa’s topography, the excellent network of roads and a well-knit medical fraternity, makes the formulation and implementation of a statewide palliative care program feasible. The Goa Palliative Care policy has been drafted with a goal of decentralising palliative care from Goa Medical College to the District Hospitals and the primary health centres. A hub and spoke model will be adopted in which the Goa Medical College will be the hub and the spokes being the periphery regions of the state. The aim is to therefore provide good quality palliative care to every family in Goa right at their doorstep.

The launch of the new policy and the operational guidelines, envisages the availability and accessibility of palliative care services at all levels of Goa’s public health system.
Goa is now the 6th state to have a State policy or a program for palliative care besides Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Odisha

The policy was launched by the Shri. Vishwajit Rane (Hon. Health Minister, Goa) in the presence of dignitaries from Goa Medical College, Directorate of Health Services, and NGOs like Cipla Foundation and Novi Survat who support the cause.

News Courtesy: IAPC (Indian Association of Palliative Care)