Oncology-Based Palliative Care Development: The Approach, Challenges, and Solutions From North-East Region of India, a Model for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

BACKGROUND: Access to palliative care within healthcare systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has never been more pronounced than in current times. The Lancet Commission Report (2018) estimates that 80% of global serious health-related suffering (SHS), which demands access to palliative care for its relief, are in LMICs. Cancer is a major contributor to SHS and a rapidly growing burden in LMICs. Similar to many LMICs, cancer is a leading cause of death in India. The North-East Region (NER) of India has a high prevalence of cancer and paucity of services for cancer and palliative care. OBJECTIVES: To describe the strategies used to initiate and strengthen palliative care services integrated with the comprehensive cancer care initiatives in the state of Assam in NER. METHODS: After an initial assessment of the status of palliative care in the NER, a multipronged strategy was adopted that aligned with the WHO framework recommended for initiating palliative care services. A core team working with a government and private collaborative strategized and activated supportive policies, education, and training and improved access and availability to essential drugs, while implementing the components synchronously within the state. SIGNIFICANCE: This project demonstrates an informed regional adaptation of the WHO model. It highlights the strengths of integrating palliative care within cancer care program right from its inception. It emphasizes the sustainability of services activated across public healthcare systems, as compared with the donor- or champion-driven initiatives. The outcome of this project underlines the relevance of this model for LMIC regions with similar health systems and sociocultural and economic contexts.