Kerala government launches two projects to unify, streamline palliative care
KOCHI: In a significant move to better tend to the chronically ill and bedridden, Kerala on Saturday launched the Universal Palliative Care project and the Kerala Palliative Care Grid — a tech-enabled initiative that aims to unify healthcare efforts across the state and respond to the rising needs of an ageing population.
Inaugurating the initiatives, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said they are a new model of compassionate governance that brings together volunteers, NGOs, healthcare workers, and hospitals under one digital and administrative framework. The projects have been jointly rolled out by the departments of health and local self-government.
'Palliative care is not just a healthcare issue; it is a social responsibility. With this initiative, we aim to ensure dignity and comfort to those suffering from chronic illnesses and immobility,' the CM said.
The new grid will generate real-time data on both patients and caregivers, enabling timely support and interventions.
Kerala, which is ageing at a much faster rate than the rest of India, faces a growing demand for palliative care. According to studies, 16.5% of the state's population was 60 years or older by 2021, compared to the national average of 10.1%. Projections indicate this could rise to 22.8% by 2036, making Kerala's need for end-of-life and long-term care significantly more urgent.
The state already has a strong foundation to build on. Currently, 1,142 primary palliative care units operate under local self-governments, along with over 500 home-care units run by voluntary organisations and more than 1,000 charitable and social-service groups. These units offer not just medical assistance, but also psychological and financial support to patients and families.
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New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala government launches two projects to unify, streamline palliative care
KOCHI: In a significant move to better tend to the chronically ill and bedridden, Kerala on Saturday launched the Universal Palliative Care project and the Kerala Palliative Care Grid — a tech-enabled initiative that aims to unify healthcare efforts across the state and respond to the rising needs of an ageing population. Inaugurating the initiatives, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said they are a new model of compassionate governance that brings together volunteers, NGOs, healthcare workers, and hospitals under one digital and administrative framework. The projects have been jointly rolled out by the departments of health and local self-government. 'Palliative care is not just a healthcare issue; it is a social responsibility. With this initiative, we aim to ensure dignity and comfort to those suffering from chronic illnesses and immobility,' the CM said. The new grid will generate real-time data on both patients and caregivers, enabling timely support and interventions. Kerala, which is ageing at a much faster rate than the rest of India, faces a growing demand for palliative care. According to studies, 16.5% of the state's population was 60 years or older by 2021, compared to the national average of 10.1%. Projections indicate this could rise to 22.8% by 2036, making Kerala's need for end-of-life and long-term care significantly more urgent. The state already has a strong foundation to build on. Currently, 1,142 primary palliative care units operate under local self-governments, along with over 500 home-care units run by voluntary organisations and more than 1,000 charitable and social-service groups. These units offer not just medical assistance, but also psychological and financial support to patients and families.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
What is Zumba and why has it been introduced in schools
Zumba, a fitness programme that blends lively music and dance moves, has been around for years but is now at the heart of a major row that again pits certain Muslim organisations against the State government. The government initiated the zumba programme in schools this academic year to promote students' physical and mental health and in step with its anti-drug campaign 'With children and youth' that sought to channelise students' interests and energy away from drugs into positive alternatives. This followed a meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of representatives of student and youth organisations, teacher and parent organisations, experts from various fields, and Ministers at the State Assembly on March 30 to prepare an action plan to curb the increase in substance abuse and violence among students and youth. The Chief Minister had then suggested zumba as a way of relieving the many stresses that students faced and directed Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty to look into implementing it in the new academic year. Mr. Sivankutty had then said that some form of exercise would be organised in schools in the afternoons to invigorate students and improve their mental and physical well-being. He later announced a mega Zumba display by 1,000 students in the State capital on April 30 to create awareness against drug abuse and give more importance to physical activity in the school curriculum. The General Education department also provided training to teachers on organising zumba session from class VIII onwards. With the government laying more thrust on health and physical education in the curriculum, more time has been allotted for physical activity in the timetable. State Council of Educational Research and Training Director Jayaprakash R.K. said Zumba was also part of the revised school curriculum. It had been included in the new class VIII art education and physical education textbooks. Following criticism of the Zumba programme, the Kerala School Teachers' Association (KSTA) has questioned the claim that no discussion had gone into it. It pointed out that those flaying the decision should have taken part in the meeting called by the Chief Minister earlier or given their opinions in writing. The Kerala Pradesh School Teachers' Association said organising Zumba sessions was inadequate to keep children from turning to substance abuse. More meaningful and effective strategies had to be implemented, particularly when synthetic drugs were increasingly available. Controversy apart, Zumba remains a popular fitness activity. Its appeal lies in the rhythmic music and the group fitness model that pushes one to do more, says Rashmi Kishore, an instructor. Rashmi says it is an exercise in disguise, something one does without being conscious of it, especially if one does not like working out alone. A chunk of her clientele is middle-aged for whom regular and consistent physical activity is a mantra for good health. It is also a good stress-buster, especially for those working in high-pressure jobs, says Rashmi.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Kerala Care initiative to offer comprehensive palliative care project: CM
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that Kerala has set a new model in the health sector through the Kerala Care palliative network initiative. The project aims at providing a comprehensive medicare to the bed-ridden patients in the State, he said at the State-level inauguration of the Kerala Care palliative network here on Saturday. He said that the government is committed to ensuring relief to the patients by setting up a network that included government and non-governmental institutions involved in palliative care. The various palliative care units in the governmental and private sectors will be brought under a single umbrella, he said. As part of the comprehensive care programme, each patient will be linked to a trained volunteer. Through the palliative care grid, the government intends to bring together all activities related to palliative care, including registering new patients for continued care, registration of all voluntary non-governmental organisations in the area of palliative care and the registration and training of new volunteers. Ministers M. B Rajesh, Veena George, P. Rajeeve, and Hibi Eden, MP attended.
