Cipla Foundation, philanthropic arm of Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Cipla, in partnership with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), has set up a first-of-its-kind neuro-palliative care unit in Bengaluru.

This integrated unit has provided support to over 2,000 individuals with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's, through in-patient, out-patient, home care, and has offered tele-consultation services to patients as well as their families and caregivers.

At this neuro-palliative care unit, a multidisciplinary team of medical and social work professionals provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, free of cost, as they navigate symptoms associated with progressive conditions. These symptoms include challenges in movement, respiratory function, speech, swallowing, cognitive abilities, and communication that patients may encounter during their treatment journey.

In addition to medical care, the team extends emotional support to both patients and their families as they adapt to life with the disease and increasingly rely on external assistance. They conduct assessments of patients' home environments, taking proactive measures to prepare for the disease's progression. This unit also collaborates with the District Mental Health programme and local palliative centres to ensure ongoing support and holistic care for patients. 

The unit also collaboratively creates customised, home-based care plans tailored to individual needs, with the goal of preserving the highest attainable quality of life.