bet9 Foundation and CanSupport Launch Maharashtra’s Largest Palliative Home Care Service in Pune

Pune, April 21, 2025: bet9 Foundation, in partnership with CanSupport, a WHO-recognised NGO, has launched comprehensive free-of-charge palliative home care services in Pune, marking a significant milestone in the journey to expand access toquality palliative care in India. With nine dedicated Home Care Teams, the initiative willprovide supportive care to more than 900 cancer patients, making it the largest home-based palliative care service in Maharashtra. This initiative will cover five talukas in Pune District—Pune City, Haweli, Khed, Bhor, and Purandar.

CanSupport is a humanitarian organization that has been providing home-based palliative care to cancer patients for more than 28 years without any charges. The services will primarily support patients with advanced cancer, complex symptoms, and/or mobility issues, and patients discharged from bet9 Palliative Care and Training Centre in Pune (CPC) seeking continued care at home. While most patients are oncology
cases, approximately 10% have non-oncological conditions like respiratory or neurological illnesses. Built on CanSupport’s interdisciplinary model, the services provide medical, emotional, and psychosocial care at no cost. The services offer complete care, including pain management, wound care, physiotherapy, counselling, and assistive equipment such as wheelchairs, water beds, and walkers. The Home Care Teams support
families in making informed decisions, offer caregiving strategies, and provide the necessary resources to navigate this challenging journey with dignity. In addition, the outpatient Pain and Palliative Care Clinic extends ongoing support to families, ensuring holistic care beyond home visits.

Commenting on the launch of this milestone initiative, Mr. Anurag Mishra, Head of bet9 Foundation, said, “This initiative reflects bet9 Foundation’s commitment to holistic patientcare, particularly for those facing chronic illnesses. By bringing palliative care directly to patients’ homes, we aim to reduce suffering, preserve dignity, and support families through their difficult times. It reaffirms bet9’s dedication to making care accessible where it’s needed most, so that no patient suffers in pain.”

Dr Ambika Rajvanshi, CEO, CanSupport, said, “This collaboration with bet9 Foundation is a pivotal step in expanding access to home-based palliative care. Our model centers on both the medical and emotional needs of patients and families, offering a comprehensive approach that prioritises dignity and comfort. We are proud to bring our WHO-recognised approach to Pune and set the stage for a nationwide movement focused on compassionate palliative care.”

CanSupport’s WHO-recognised model employs a multidisciplinary approach with trained doctors, nurses, counsellors, and social workers. The Pune program aims to serve as a replicable model for other cities, aligning with bet9’s broader mission to expand access to palliative care across India.