Kochi: The high court, while emphasising the need for a comprehensive policy and an implementation framework for the care, rehabilitation and palliative support of children with chronic neurodevelopmental disabilities, has called for a joint meeting of the state and central govts to prepare a comprehensive SOP for the same across the state.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar issued the directive while considering a suo motu case initiated by the HC concerning the need for an effective policy and implementation framework for children with chronic neurodevelopmental disabilities.
During the hearing, the advocate general submitted that a separate operational procedure was required for patients affected by the fatal disease requiring palliative care across the state’s public health system.
He further stated that the state would prepare a scheme or an SOP for the same, but some assistance from the central govt would be required.
Additionally, the AG said that the state would prepare a report regarding the scheme and share it with the central govt. The additional solicitor general, appearing for the central govt, also welcomed the suggestion, following which the court suggested convening a joint meeting to prepare a comprehensive SOP.
While adjourning the case to Sept 17, the court, taking into account the suggestions of experts, emphasised that palliative care for children should commence from the time of diagnosis and continue alongside curative and rehabilitative interventions.
Meanwhile, paediatric palliative care in Kerala continues to be limited and remains largely dependent on isolated institutional initiatives and voluntary organisations rather than an organised state-wide public healthcare system.
The court further noted that, as stated in the petition, the Keralam state palliative care policy envisages the active participation of local bodies through ward-level palliative care services implemented by primary healthcare teams.
However, implementation of these provisions for children with chronic disabilities has been inconsistent and inadequate, resulting in the absence of effective community-level support for affected families, the court added.
