Published on: August 30, 2025

Recently, I was reflecting on a conversation with a caregiver, and I deeply resonated with his struggles. Caring for loved ones in moments of uncertainty leaves a lasting impact that touches almost every aspect of life—emotional, physical, social, and financial. I felt the need to share one such story from my experience, because these voices deserve to be heard.

A Son’s Struggle

One case that stayed with me was of a young man, a registered nurse working in Australia, who returned to India when his father was diagnosed with a serious illness. His father was immobile, in unbearable pain, and had no one else to look after him.

As a healthcare professional, the son knew his father’s days were limited, yet the agony of watching him suffer without adequate pain relief was overwhelming. Despite his knowledge, accessing morphine—the gold standard for severe pain—proved nearly impossible. Local hospitals lacked dedicated outpatient services for pain and palliative care, and none could dispense the medicine his father urgently needed.

He tried alternatives like tramadol, but they failed to ease the suffering. In desperation, he reached out through Pallium India’s website, and I connected with him.

“I know my father’s days are limited,” he said softly, “but I want to help ease his pain, at least during the last moments of his life. We tried our best—we explored every possible hospital and reached out to many doctors—but we were left feeling helpless. Now, for the first time, we see a ray of hope through your support.”

At the later stages of illness, pain management becomes central to dignity and comfort. Morphine remains one of the most effective medicines for controlling severe pain and breathlessness, yet in India, its use is obstructed by regulatory barriers, stigma, patchy availability, and fears of misuse.

Learning from Australia

For the son, the distress was two-fold—caring for his father while worrying about his job abroad and family responsibilities. Yet his reflections pointed to the urgent need for global exchange of best practices. In Australia, palliative care is taken seriously. Dedicated units are integrated into mainstream healthcare, medicines are readily available, and conversations about death and end-of-life care are normalized during routine check-ups. Families are encouraged to prepare emotionally and practically, avoiding last-minute crises.

By contrast, in India, access remains scarce, and discussions about death are often avoided until it is too late. This gap underscores the need to strengthen palliative care services, normalize advance care planning, and adopt proven global models.

Systemic Gaps

• Implementation: India’s National Palliative Care Program exists on paper, but execution varies widely.
• Funding: Minimal budgets limit staff, training, and essential equipment.
• Awareness: Families and even healthcare providers often remain unaware of palliative care options.
• Infrastructure: Shortages of trained professionals, home-care support, and opioid access force families to improvise at great emotional and financial cost.

Beyond Policy: A Human Imperative

This story highlights the invisible labour of caregiving and the cracks in our healthcare system. It shows the resilience of families who refuse to give up on their loved ones, while reminding us of the urgent need for reform. At its core, caregiving is not only about tending to physical needs—it is about love, dignity, and the shared humanity that binds us all. For dignity to be upheld, care must be made accessible, affordable, and equitable.

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