When our organization began in 1999, it was in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping through Sub-Saharan Africa. GPIC partner, Matthew 25 House, began in Ghana in 1998 with a similar mission. HIV is one of the deadliest global public health threats in recent history, having claimed nearly 33 million lives to date. This viral infection...
Palliative care is unique in its ability to offer a holistic approach to patient care. The capacity to address the patient’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs and adapt to various circumstances makes palliative care special. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, palliative care providers continue to deliver the best possible care within their...
The people of Nsungwale Village in Binga District, Zimbabwe woke up on the morning of February 11th, 2020 to massive destruction and flooded homes due to the incessant rainfall that had been taking place the previous days.
Palliative care isn’t reliant on high-tech interventions. Rather, it’s provided by compassionate health care workers who are trained to provide holistic care to those with life-limiting conditions. As part of our mission, we want to show the human face of global palliative care. By sharing our partners’ experiences we can shed light on the amazing...
NGOs often rely heavily on charitable donations to survive. Many have made great strides is operational sustainability by integrating small business or income generating projects into their organization. But what happens to palliative care organizations that raise funds to support their work by operating small businesses that have been forced to shut down during this...
The home care team at Helderberg Hospice, located in Somerset West, South Africa, went to great lengths to ensure their patients would continue to receive quality care during the nationwide lockdown. They shared with us a reflection on how COVID-19 has affected their interaction with patients and families. “Friday, the 26th of March 2020 heralded the...
Strong national leadership from the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) has helped raise awareness of the importance of palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a mention of the continued need for palliative care during a recent presidential address. This week, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, asked district health officers to handle issues...
The dedicated team at Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja were very proactive in preparing for the challenges of this pandemic in order to ensure continued care and support for their patients. In a country where access to health care is limited, palliative care providers are especially concerned for patients who are already immunocompromised. Uganda has...
Healthcare workers in South Africa know there will be a shortage of PPE once COVID-19 really hits their health services. Like many other palliative care providers, Sunflower Children’s Hospice is worried that morphine and other essential medicines will be in short supply for community organizations as it will be needed for hospitals. South Africa locked...
