HBCH & RC First PG Course in Palliative Care Launched in AP

The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam has become the first institution in Andhra Pradesh to offer a postgraduate degree in Palliative Care, also known as Upashamana Samrakshana. The programme aims to provide relief and supportive care to patients with chronic or terminal illnesses, addressing an often-overlooked aspect of healthcare.

The course combines classroom teaching with hands-on clinical training, covering pain management, counselling techniques, physiotherapy, end-of-life care, and communication with patients and their families. The inaugural batch will admit four students, strengthening the hospital’s profile as a centre of excellence for cancer care and supportive treatments.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav lauded the hospital management for introducing the specialised programme. “This initiative is a step forward in ensuring that patients receive not only treatment for their illness but also comprehensive support that preserves dignity and quality of life,” he said.

Established to enhance cancer care and research in the region, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital is now leading efforts to combine advanced treatment with patient-centred care, reinforcing its commitment to medical excellence and compassionate service.

Experts noted that access to palliative care in Andhra Pradesh has been limited. The new programme is expected to create a pool of trained professionals capable of providing specialised care to patients with severe pain due to cancer, advanced organ disease, or other chronic conditions, thereby improving their quality of life.