Alappuzha MCH to Open Palliative Care Clinic with Living Will Help Desk

Quick Summary

• A living Will Details Desk will soon be operational at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Alappuzha, under the Extensive Palliative Care Clinic set up by the Department of Anaesthesiology.
• The initiative enables individuals to document their end-of-life medical preferences in situations where they cannot make decisions themselves. It includes choices regarding life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and funeral arrangements.
• Procedures for creating a living will include consultation with family members, attestation by a gazetted officer, and safekeeping by local self-government institutions. Forms are accessible at the desk from Monday to friday.
• The Comprehensive Palliative Care Clinic launches outpatient services every Saturday and features a 10-bed ward along with additional facilities like a pharmacy and store.
• Students contribute to palliative care activities under “Karunya,” including organising paraplegia meets,medical camps,home visits for bedridden patients in nearby areas,and curriculum inclusion for house surgeons.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The establishment of IndiaS first Living Will Information Desk in Alappuzha could be significant in reshaping attitudes toward patient autonomy and end-of-life care clarity. By formalising living will procedures within public healthcare infrastructure, this initiative promotes informed decision-making while reducing potential conflicts among family members during critical moments. Additionally, integrating palliative care into medical education fosters empathy-led professional growth among doctors-pointing toward systemic improvements in caregiving practices.

such advancements align well with broader ethical healthcare reforms that emphasize dignity for terminally ill patients while reducing unnecessary interventions. This step could inspire similar projects across other districts nationwide if successfully implemented.

Read more: Published – July 26, 2025