Poisedness for social innovation: The genesis and propagation of community-based palliative care in Kerala (India)

               


 Kerala's pioneering community-based palliative care model, recognized globally, owes much to its roots in Kozhikode and its expansion to nearby regions like Manjeri, Malappuram. The establishment of a satellite clinic in Manjeri in the mid-1990s marked a key milestone in spreading the palliative care movement beyond centralized urban centers. This hub-and-spoke model, supported by volunteers and local networks, set the foundation for the Neighbourhood Network in Palliative Care (NNPC), emphasizing community-driven care. The Manjeri clinic's collaboration with local volunteers exemplified the integration of horizontal associationalism and participatory democracy, core to Kerala's success. Today, Malappuram stands as a vital contributor to the propagation of the palliative care ethos, underscoring the power of grassroots initiatives in transforming healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. 

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