2021; Volume 22, No 8, August
IAHPC asks recipients of its IAHPC Scholar grants to report on the events they attend. In this issue, we bring you reports from the Palliative Care Initiators In-Country Course held in Uganda in May.
PC Associations Champion Availability of Oral Morphine for All of Africa
Jamila Akua Boateng
Sunyani, Ghana
My journey through the palliative initiators course in Uganda was filled with great experiences amidst the era of a surge in COVID-19 infections in Uganda. The format of the training met the current pandemic protocols: most of our presentations and meetings were done via Zoom, and in-person protocols were strictly observed at the hospice.
The course has broadened my knowledge on the scope of palliative care and use of technology; it also improved my research skills.
An opportunity to meet with key stakeholders of the African Palliative Care Association and Palliative Care Association of Uganda created an awareness of the existence of such associations, their importance, and the various forms of support they offer palliative care providers in Uganda and Africa as a whole—especially the championing of the production and availability of oral morphine in the management of pain in cancer patients.
Palliative care in Ghana
Palliative care services in my country are limited to hospitals in the south, basically in Accra and Kumasi. Most health workers and people are not aware of the purpose and importance of palliative care services and, therefore, underutilize its services. Due to this limitation, patients and their relatives in need have no access. The distance to facilities that provide services could be a factor. Also, there is no follow-up on referred patients to palliative care units.
These limitations can be solved by:
- increasing the awareness of palliative care services via various media (radio, etc.);
- setting up a palliative care unit in our facility and other facilities in the regional capitals, to start; and
- forming a palliative care association in Ghana, to strengthen the existence of palliative care services in the country.
Oral presentations: Breast cancer case presentation, critique of an article, action plan for BRHS, lesson plan on management of cancer.
‘Now It Is Time to Extend the Love and Care the Course Has Taught Me’
Ruth Esi Fosuah Allotey
Madina, Ghana
This activity was very helpful to me because it was an eye opener. I learned a lot of practical skills in palliative care. I also saw things that I have otherwise only read about in books. The hands-on practical experience made this program an excellent one.
At my place of work, it is my desire to create awareness about palliative care for the benefit of all patients, staff, and relatives who visit the hospital and beyond.
Personally, the course increased my passion to extend a helping hand to every individual who needs relief from pain or other palliative care support.
It was extremely interesting to see patients in need of palliative care: I found that their situations were no different than patients that I have seen in my practice. But now it is time to go all out, and extend the love and care that the course in palliative care has taught me.
Oral presentation: Action Plan toward Awareness Creation on Palliative Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
Learn more about the African Palliative Care Association and Palliative Care Association of Uganda in the IAHPC Global Directory of Palliative Care Institutions and Organizations.
To find out more about IAHPC’s Program Support Grants, and our Scholar and Fellowship grants, please visit our website. Through these programs we support projects and individuals around the world, especially in developing countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
You can contribute to this program and help palliative care workers attend and participate in congresses and courses by donating to the Traveling Scholarships Campaign in the Global Giving website.