Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, long recognized for pioneering a humane and community-driven approach to healthcare, has taken a transformative step forward with the launch of volunteer registration for the Kerala Care Universal Palliative Service Scheme—a landmark initiative designed to widen the reach and impact of palliative care across the state.

The call for volunteers marks the next phase of a mission that has already placed Kerala on the global map for compassionate care. Those willing to dedicate just one hour a week to help individuals battling chronic or life-limiting illnesses can now register via the official portal: https://sannadhasena.kerala.gov.in/volunteerregistration

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s sustained and inclusive efforts to reach even the most marginalized patients have made Kerala a model for community-based palliative care. From grassroots-level volunteers to trained nurses and social organizations, the entire ecosystem works in synergy to bring care to the doorstep of those in distress.

The Kerala Care initiative, under which this latest campaign falls, was conceived to extend care beyond bedridden patients to all those suffering from serious illnesses, including cancer, advanced neurological disorders, and other terminal conditions. Unlike conventional medical systems focused primarily on clinical cure, Kerala’s approach emphasizes dignity, comfort, and emotional well-being.

The volunteer registration drive comes on the heels of a massive patient identification campaign. As of now, 1,34,939 individuals have been registered as needing palliative care—mostly bedridden or seriously ill patients. Simultaneously, healthcare organizations and professional nurses are also being roped in to build a holistic, responsive framework.

This new wave invites citizens from all walks of life—students, retirees, professionals, homemakers—to lend their time and compassion. Even a weekly visit can make a world of difference to someone battling loneliness, pain, and isolation. The scheme recognizes that palliative care is not only about medicine, but also about human presence.

Kerala's model of palliative care is built on the belief that healthcare is a community responsibility, not just a government service. Over the years, this model has earned accolades from the World Health Organization (WHO) and inspired similar programs across South Asia and Africa.

By mobilizing thousands of volunteers under the Kerala Care umbrella, the government hopes to eliminate the last-mile barriers in palliative service delivery. This innovative model seeks to build local care ecosystems—where trained volunteers complement professional services to support the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients.

The Health Department has reiterated that this is not just a government scheme, but a social movement. Those who believe in service, empathy, and human dignity are invited to register and become a part of a historic transformation in healthcare.

Kerala is proving once again that with the right vision, policy, and public participation, care can be democratized and delivered at scale—not just in hospitals, but in homes and communities.

As the state charts a new course in palliative care with Kerala Care, it sets a powerful example for the world: that true development lies not just in GDP growth, but in how we care for the weakest among us.