Palliative Medicine

The Division has several firsts to its credit, the first Pain Clinic in the country was started here in 1984, and our Division is the only one among the 28 Regional Cancer Centres across the country to manufacture both formulations of Morphine, liquid and capsules which is given free to poor patients and at highly subsidized rates to those who pay. We introduced PET bottles for dispensing liquid Morphine from 2016. The other unique first is the conduct of ‘Tele Clinic’ with the Karuna Hospice at Adimali near Munnar, and with District Hospital, Kollam, catering to hundreds of patients. We train both in-house Post graduates as well as Post graduates from outside the Centre. In addition, the division conducts training programmes for doctors, nurses, volunteers, alongside the ‘Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Medicine’. We have a twelve bedded ward. Outpatients clinics function from Monday to Saturday and nearly 17,000 new and follow-up patients are consulted annually. Rehabilitation of spouse and children ranks high in our priority in bereavement support and comprehensive palliative care. We have a seamless relationship with the Lymphoedema and Stoma services of the Centre. We do not limit to treatment of physical symptoms but take care of emotional, social and spiritual concerns through linking and liaising with NGOs like ‘Care-Plus’ or ‘Ashraya’.

Palliative Medicine Team »