Dr. Bhavika Hotchandani is a Mumbai-based physician and palliative-care specialist who serves as Programme Director – Romila Palliative Care at SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action). With more than 25 years of professional experience, she has built her career around geriatric medicine, palliative care and home-based healthcare, with a particular focus on bringing compassionate, dignified and accessible care to patients living with serious or chronic illnesses. SNEHA’s official leadership profile identifies her as Programme Director for Romila Palliative Care and notes her more than a decade of experience in home healthcare.

Dr. Hotchandani’s professional journey combines clinical medicine with healthcare programme development. She completed her MBBS from Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Administration. She has subsequently undertaken specialised training in palliative medicine and geriatrics, including a Global Fellowship in Palliative Medicine and additional certifications in the field. Her combination of clinical training and healthcare-administration expertise has enabled her to work not only as a physician but also in developing and managing models of care for patients who require sustained support outside conventional hospital settings.

A defining focus of her work is the belief that palliative care should be accessible to patients within their own communities and homes, including vulnerable populations living in densely populated and resource-constrained settings. At Romila Palliative Care, her work encompasses home-based palliative services and multidisciplinary support, bringing together medical management with psychosocial, rehabilitative and caregiver support. Her public professional profile describes her as an experienced palliative-care physician, while SNEHA positions Romila Palliative Care within its broader mission of improving health outcomes among underserved communities.

Dr. Hotchandani has increasingly focused on innovating palliative-care delivery in challenging urban environments. Her recent work has explored approaches such as task reassignment, caregiver empowerment, simplified rehabilitation equipment, non-pharmacological interventions and integrated psychosocial and spiritual support. At the 33rd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026), she presented research on delivering palliative care in congested informal settings. Her work received third place in the Doctors category of the IAPC Best Poster Awards, highlighting an approach aimed at improving quality of life while reducing caregiver burden.

Her professional interests extend beyond clinical treatment to the larger ecosystem surrounding patients and families. She has emphasised that palliative care must consider the needs of caregivers as well as those of patients, particularly when families manage complex chronic conditions at home. Her recent academic work has examined how community-based models can use available human and material resources more effectively to deliver care in difficult environments.

Dr. Hotchandani has also been involved in professional and public-health networks beyond SNEHA. Records of the Indian Association of Palliative Care list her as a member, while her participation in national medical forums demonstrates an ongoing commitment to advancing the discipline through knowledge-sharing and professional collaboration.

An important dimension of her professional identity is her emphasis on empathy, dignity and quality of life. Rather than viewing palliative medicine solely through the lens of end-of-life clinical intervention, her work reflects a broader understanding of care that includes symptom management, functionality, emotional wellbeing, caregiver resilience and the ability of patients to remain supported within their communities. Her recent commentary around palliative-care innovation specifically highlights improved quality of life, reduced caregiver burnout and the importance of resilient, resource-conscious care systems.

Through her leadership at Romila Palliative Care, Dr. Bhavika Hotchandani is contributing to the evolution of community-based and home-based palliative healthcare in India, particularly for patients and families who may face barriers to accessing conventional specialist services. Her career brings together medicine, healthcare administration, programme leadership and innovation, with a sustained professional mission of making compassionate, holistic and dignified care more accessible to patients living with serious illness and to the families who care for them.