For patients battling severe physical distress, medicine alone is often not enough. The healing power of a compassionate touch can be equally transformative. Demonstrating this through her assisted living initiative Kancare, Dr Bobby Sara Thomas has carved out a distinctive space in Kerala’s palliative care landscape.
A radiation oncologist by profession, Dr Bobby Sara discovered her calling in palliative care during a brief break from her clinical duties at Amrita Hospital, Kochi. Training in palliative medicine opened a new chapter in her life — one that would go on to provide comfort and dignity to hundreds of patients and their families.
Kancare began modestly in Kakkanad, a Kochi suburb, in a small room offered by a friend. With just one nurse and a driver, the team started visiting homes to provide comfort care for cancer patients. Within the first year, nearly 100 patients received support. In the second year, that number doubled to 200.
It was during these home visits that Dr Bobby Sara encountered the stark realities of palliative care in Kerala. Many bedridden patients were being cared for by individuals without adequate training. One such patient suggested that she start a dedicated centre for cancer care and even expressed willingness to move in if such a facility was established.
After discussing the idea with her husband, an IT professional, Dr Bobby Sara launched Kancare as a charitable organisation, focused on structured, professional palliative and assisted living services.
Kancare started in 2018 with 10 beds. By 2019, capacity had increased to 25 beds, driven largely by word-of-mouth referrals from families who had experienced its services. As awareness of its standards grew, expansion became inevitable.
Since charitable organisations face hurdles in securing bank loans, Kancare was registered as a private limited company in 2021 to enable access to funding. Today, the organisation operates 150 beds across multiple facilities in Kochi's suburbs like Kakkanad, Kalamassery and Elamakkara.
The centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprising specialist doctors, trained nurses, physiotherapists and professionally trained caregivers. The focus is not merely on treatment, but on holistic support, dignity and quality of life.
With Kerala’s elderly population steadily rising, the demand for structured assisted living and palliative care facilities has grown significantly. The increasing incidence of serious illnesses and the spread of age-related conditions such as dementia have further underscored the need for professionally managed centres, says Dr Bobby Sara Thomas.
Professional management across all verticals remains Kancare’s defining strength. The organisation is now preparing to expand operations across Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Thrissur.
Partnership and franchise models are also under consideration as part of its expansion strategy, signalling the next phase in Kancare’s journey to bring structured, compassionate care to more families across the state.
