Need for Palliative Care in India

The Government of Andhra Pradesh in India recently released an official order (Government Order No. 265) which recognized the need for palliative care for people living with incurable illnesses. Acknowledging the initiatives undertaken by the MNJ Institute of Oncology in collaboration with INCTR and Pallium India, the government has sanctioned official posts for a faculty position, for nurses, and office support staff within the Department of Palliative Care at MNJ. The government has supported the palliative care program in MNJIO by unofficially providing staff, infrastructure and all essential drugs since its inception in 2006. Since 2008, palliative care for cancer has been included in a state-sponsored insurance program for the poor, a landmark initiative by the government. Andhra Pradesh is also the 14 th state in India which has amended the regulations related to opioid availability for medical use such that opioids are more readily available for those in need.