By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will be declared as a state with total palliative care before the end of the year, said Social Justice Minister K K Shylaja. Responding to a calling attention motion in the Assembly, she said the government has been carrying out coordinated efforts with various NGOs in palliative care.

Chengannur MLA Saji Cheriyan highlighted the need for setting up taluk-level centres for palliative and geriatric care. Elaborating on the government’s initiatives, Shylaja said that currently about 1.5 lakh bed-ridden patients benefit from the government’s palliative care facilities.

There are about 49,000 direct beneficiaries of primary care, while secondary care is being given through taluks in association with the National Health Mission. Soon, secondary level palliative care would be extended through community health centres too, she said. “Currently, the government has technical tie-ups with NGOs like Pallium India operating in the sector,” she added.