Cipla Foundation & NIMHANS join hands to set up Palliative Care unit for patients with neurological conditions

New Delhi: Cipla Foundation in partnership with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has set up a first-of-its-kind neuro-palliative care unit in Bengaluru.

This integrated unit has provided support to over 2,000 individuals with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s, through in-patient, out-patient, home care, and has offered teleconsultation services to patients as well as their families and caregivers.

At this neuro-palliative care unit, a multidisciplinary team of medical and social work professionals provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, free of cost, as they navigate symptoms associated with progressive conditions. These symptoms include challenges in movement, respiratory function, speech, swallowing, cognitive abilities, and communication that patients may encounter during their treatment journey. In addition to medical care, the team extends emotional support to both patients and their families as they adapt to life with the disease and increasingly rely on external assistance.

They conduct assessments of patients’ home environments, taking proactive measures to prepare for the disease’s progression. This unit also collaborates with the District Mental Health program and local palliative centres to ensure ongoing support and holistic care for patients.

Commenting on this endeavor, Rumana Hamied, Managing Trustee, Cipla Foundation said, “The goal of palliative care is to provide the best possible quality of life at every stage of all serious illnesses. This initiative reinforces our dedication to strengthen India’s palliative care ecosystem.”

The unit also collaboratively creates customized, home-based care plans tailored to individual needs, with the goal of preserving the highest attainable quality of life.

Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANSsaid, “This initiative will go a long way in supporting patients with neurological conditions along with their families. We are grateful to Cipla Foundation’s support to making palliative care accessible to patients who need it the most.”

Late last month, in commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Day, neurologists, healthcare professionals, stakeholders within NIMHANS and the other palliative care organisations in Bengaluru came together for a discussion on ‘Neuro-palliative and Supportive Care: Reflections and Opportunities’ which covered aspects like the advancements, challenges, and best practices in the field of neuro-palliative care.