Kalpetta: In a first in the country, the Kerala government is gearing up to set up a large force of palliative care workers under the Directorate of Samoohika Sannadhasena, in an attempt to provide volunteers for patients, who are in need of palliative care, at the regional level. The move comes at a time when many claim that palliative care units in some regions remain dysfunctional.

It is learnt that the government would announce a palliative care action plan on the occasion of ‘Palliative Day’ and formulate the force of volunteers. The force will be responsible for taking care of bedridden patients who need permanent care, providing emotional support to patients, and delivering medicine and if necessary food and other assistance.

The project will be implemented with the joint support of the health department, national health mission, and local bodies. All local bodies have also been directed to set aside a particular amount from their funds for palliative care activities. 

Furthermore, those youths who register for free in the project will be provided a three-day training in association with the local bodies. The aim is to arrange a large pool of volunteers, who are personally familiar with the patients. The project will be monitored by family health centres and local bodies.