Karnataka sets up State-level panel to strengthen palliative care services

The Karnataka government has constituted a State-level Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for palliative care to guide the planning, implementation, and monitoring of services across Karnataka.

The decision, notified in a Government Order dated March 23, follows a proposal from the Health Department highlighting the need for structured technical guidance and coordinated efforts to expand palliative care.

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing serious and life-limiting illnesses through early identification and management of pain and other physical, psychological, and social issues.

The initiative is aligned with the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC). The government has also indicated its intent to draw from best practices, particularly the community-based model implemented in Kerala, which combines home-based, outpatient and inpatient care with community participation. A dedicated allocation for palliative care was announced in the recent Budget session.

Inter-departmental coordination

Officials said the committee is intended to provide policy support, technical oversight and inter-departmental coordination, and is expected to improve access to services, especially for patients with cancer and chronic illnesses.

The committee will be chaired by the Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare). Members include the Director of Health and Family Welfare Services, Deputy Director (Non-Communicable Diseases), and Deputy Director (Mental Health).

Subject experts include Anuradha Ganigara, associate professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Paediatric Palliative Medicine at the State-run Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health; Yadhuraj Gowda M.K., head of the Department of Palliative Medicine at government-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology; Rajani Surendra Bhat, interventional pulmonologist and palliative care physician at Sparsh Hospitals; and Nandini Vallath, professor and head, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at St. John’s Medical College Hospital. A representative from a recognised NGO, including Pallium India, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Karunashraya Trust or One Billion Lives Foundation, will also be included.

The Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology already serves as the nodal centre for the Karnataka Palliative Care Policy Cell.

Terms of reference

According to the terms of reference, the committee will advise on policy, standards, treatment protocols and service delivery across primary, secondary and tertiary levels. It will also focus on improving access to essential narcotic drugs for pain management.

The panel will recommend standards, treatment protocols and service delivery models across all levels of care. It will guide integration with State and national health programmes, review action plans, and advise on infrastructure, human resources, training and referral systems.

The committee will also monitor programme performance, service coverage, availability of essential medicines and quality of care, and promote evaluation, research and best practices.

Welcoming the move, Dr. Gowda said the committee will help streamline palliative care efforts. “This is an important step towards integrating palliative care into the public health system. With better access to essential medicines and stronger community participation, services can be expanded across the State,” he said.