Himachal Delegation Studies Palliative Care Model in Kerala

The Himachal Pradesh government is exploring the integration of palliative care into its healthcare system, led by Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who is studying the community-based model in Kerala. The initiative aims to develop a tailored framework for palliative care in Himachal, where current services are limited to a few hospitals and medical colleges. Meanwhile, a study by MIT scholars highlights the fiscal benefits of hospice care, showing it saves Medicare significant costs, particularly for patients with Alzheimer's. In the UK, Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for a focus on improving access to palliative care instead of legalizing assisted dying, emphasizing that many terminally ill patients lack proper support. The debate on assisted dying continues as MPs prepare for a vote on proposed legislation, with Maskell stressing the need for better palliative care solutions to ensure dignified deaths. These developments signal a growing recognition of the importance of palliative care across different regions and systems.