Kerala has taken a landmark step to improve care for chronically ill and bedridden patients by launching the Universal Palliative Care project and the Kerala Palliative Care Grid. This integrated, technology-enabled system was inaugurated on Saturday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who described it as a compassionate governance model uniting healthcare professionals, volunteers, NGOs, and hospitals under one coordinated framework.
“Palliative care goes beyond healthcare—it is a collective social responsibility,” Vijayan remarked, highlighting the state’s commitment to preserving dignity and comfort for patients facing chronic conditions and immobility.
The digital grid will maintain real-time data on patients and caregivers, enabling prompt interventions and organized support. Kerala’s ageing population drives this urgency: by 2021, 16.5% of residents were over 60, significantly above India’s average of 10.1%. Projections suggest this will surge to 22.8% by 2036, underscoring the critical need for accessible palliative care.
Kerala already has a robust network of 1,142 palliative care units under local self-governments, 500+ home-care teams managed by voluntary groups, and more than 1,000 charitable organizations offering medical, psychological, and financial assistance.
Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh stressed the initiative’s importance, citing that 0.6% of the population is bedridden while 2% live with chronic illnesses. The grid will systematically register patients, arrange home visits, track treatments, and guide caregivers. Over 1.58 lakh patients have been enrolled so far.
Health Minister Veena George, Industries Minister P Rajeeve, and MP Hibi Eden also attended the launch event.