TheLiverDoc Backs Home Hospice Care as Millions in India Need Palliative Care

A recent social media post by hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as TheLiverDoc, has renewed discussion around palliative care, home hospice services and the treatment choices available to critically ill patients in India.

For people living with serious or life-limiting illnesses, there may come a stage when medical treatment shifts from curing a disease to managing pain, reducing suffering and improving comfort. This phase can be emotionally and financially challenging for families, particularly when frequent hospital visits and intensive treatment continue despite limited chances of recovery.

TheLiverDoc said he has increasingly moved towards a home-based hospice care approach for critically ill patients. He argued that when medical professionals are certain that a patient is unlikely to survive, families should be informed about the option of allowing the patient to spend their final days at home with their loved ones rather than automatically escalating medical treatment.

The discussion has also highlighted the financial pressure that prolonged hospitalisation can place on families and raised wider questions about access to palliative and home-based care in India.

Government data shows that an estimated 7 to 10 million people in India require palliative care every year. Palliative care services under the National Programme for Palliative Care are currently operational in around 600 districts across states and Union Territories.

During the 2024-25 financial year, more than 60.82 lakh patients availed outpatient palliative care services, while over 25.17 lakh received inpatient palliative care. More than 5.50 lakh patients received home-based palliative care under the programme.

The figures cover services provided through the government programme and do not include patients receiving similar support through private hospitals, non-governmental organisations or other healthcare providers.

Partial data for the 2025-26 financial year also indicates continued use of palliative care services. Until October 2025, around 12.6 lakh outpatient visits, 19 lakh home visits and 3.3 lakh inpatient palliative care episodes were recorded. Since these figures represent only part of the financial year, they cannot be directly compared with the complete data from 2024-25.

Palliative care is focused on improving the quality of life of people with serious illnesses. It includes managing pain and other symptoms while addressing the physical, emotional, psychological and social needs of patients. It also helps families deal with caregiving responsibilities and important medical decisions.

Palliative care is among the essential healthcare services offered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Trained ASHA workers and community volunteers can help identify patients requiring home-based support and connect families with appropriate healthcare services.

While palliative care services have expanded across India, access to timely and home-based care remains a major concern. Independent assessments suggest that only a small percentage of people requiring palliative care receive timely support, with rural and remote regions facing significant gaps.

The discussion surrounding home hospice care has raised an important question for patients and families facing serious illnesses. When aggressive medical treatment is unlikely to offer meaningful benefits, greater awareness about palliative care and home-based hospice options could help families make informed decisions focused on comfort, dignity and quality of life alongside appropriate medical care.