Palliative care needs better pain management: Experts

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2026 with a programme emphasising effective pain management, access to essential medicines and compassionate care for patients with serious illnesses.

Organised by the Department of Pain & Palliative Medicine under the theme "Pain Management: An essential part of Palliative Care", the programme featured a panel discussion on “Medical Use of Controlled Medicines in India: Balancing Access, Regulation and Patient Care.”

Dr. P. M. Yashwanth, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, attended as the chief guest. He stressed the need to balance timely access to essential medicines with regulatory safeguards to prevent misuse.

The panel included Dr. Basanth Kumar Rayani, Head of Onco Anaesthesia; Dr. Vibhavari Naik, Senior Consultant, Onco Anaesthesia; Dr. Praneeth Suvvari, In-charge, Pain & Palliative Medicine; Dr. Deepika Reddy Cherukuri; and CH Narendra, General Manager–Pharmacy. NCB officials Vishal Vilas Rajole, Assistant Director, and Ashish Chakravarti, Superintendent, also participated.

The discussion covered pain management, ethical prescribing, regulatory compliance and patient access to controlled medicines. Speakers highlighted the importance of ensuring appropriate pain relief while adhering to applicable regulations.

The programme underscored the role of multidisciplinary palliative care in addressing patients’ physical and emotional needs while supporting their families. The department also organised art and photography competitions focusing on compassion, dignity, hope and caregiving, attracting participation from hospital staff, students, patients, caregivers and volunteers. The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to promoting awareness of palliative care and integrating effective pain management into comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare, emphasising that pain relief, compassionate support and dignity are essential to improving patients’ quality of life.