Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ajit Isaac Foundation (AIF) to provide assistance in setting up and launching palliative care centres in India.

These centres will provide compassionate, dignified care to terminally ill patients in underserved regions in India, along with training and supporting community-based caregivers.

Of an estimated 8-10 million Indians who need palliative care, only 1-2% have access to it, which is significantly lower than the global average of 14%. With most palliative care centres being concentrated in urban locations, India faces a healthcare access equity issue, especially in rural areas where services are scarce. This collaboration seeks to address these disparities by expanding access to high-quality end-of-life care in underserved regions, enabling terminally ill patients to experience comfort and peace in their final stages of life. 

AIF is establishing a 63-bed Palliative Care Centre in Tumkur, set to launch in early 2025. This centre will serve as the foundation for the JHU-AIF collaboration, which aims to design and implement comprehensive training programs in palliative care, offered both online and offline, with continued mentorship support for staff.

JHU will help in developing a research fellowship and designing curriculum. Additionally, AIF and JHU will jointly host workshops and conferences, both in India and internationally, to showcase the latest advancements in palliative care, fostering knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices.