India, Feb. 6 -- In a significant shift in public healthcare, the Maharashtra government has approved statewide expansion of palliative care services to ensure that patients with cancer, heart failure, neurological disorders and other life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate treatment close to home, officials said on Wednesday.

Palliative care is often misunderstood as care only for the dying. "It must begin from the time of diagnosis and continue alongside medical treatment. Early support reduces unnecessary procedures and improves quality of life for both patients and families," deputy director of health services, Dr Kailas Baviskar, said. The programme will extend services from district hospitals to primary health centres and dir...