- KR Bharat
- 2025-10-19
Palliative care in India is emerging as a critical component of the healthcare system, particularly for patients with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, advanced organ failure, and neurodegenerative diseases. Economically, palliative care can help reduce the financial burden on both families and the healthcare system by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, avoiding costly interventions, and providing home-based or community-centered care. Studies indicate that integrating palliative care early in treatment pathways not only improves quality of life but also lowers overall medical expenses.
However, the economic impact of palliative care in India faces challenges, including limited infrastructure, shortage of trained professionals, and low awareness among patients and healthcare providers. Investment in training, hospice facilities, and community programs can generate long-term cost savings while improving patient outcomes. Policymakers are increasingly recognizing that scaling palliative care services is not only a moral imperative but also an economically prudent strategy to manage chronic and terminal illnesses in a resource-constrained healthcare system.
