Need for Palliative Care

India, with a population of over a billion people, is a country of varying social, cultural and geographic characteristics. There are real problems in meeting the health care needs of such a large population, particularly, the poor in rural areas. Palliative Care represents an important resource in the completion of good medical care which can help to take the best care of patients and their families. The availability of palliative care is very limited in much of the world.

The current study has been undertaken to know the need for palliative care in Kerala.

For the purpose of study, 30 respondents were selected as samples by adopting convenience sampling method. Analysis was done via statistical software 17.0. using statistical tools, viz. Friedman repeated measures analysis of variance on ranks and percentages.

The study revealed that most of the patients were suffering from the problems of old age and disability and could not avail palliative care service as they were unaware of palliative care service. The major physical problem suffered by the deceased patients before one year of their death was agitation and thereafter till their death was” Cachexia”. “Change in Faith and Beliefs” was the major Psycho-Social problem faced by the patients for the last one year before their death Conclusion The major physical problem suffered by the deceased patients before one year of their death was agitation and thereafter till their death was” Cachexia”. “Change in Faith and Beliefs” was the major Psycho-Social problem faced by the patients for the last one year before their death. most of the patients could not avail such service as they were unaware of the palliative care service.