The Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) has undertaken the task of translating palliative care and cancer information into seven major languages of Uganda. This initiative aims to ensure that crucial information regarding palliative care and non-communicable diseases reaches every corner of the country.
Addressing attendees at the 8th annual gathering of palliative care providers in Kampala, Mark Donald Mwesiga, the executive director of PCAU, emphasized the lack of awareness among rural communities about non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
He highlighted the significance of providing information on disease prevention and self-care upon diagnosis. Mwesiga pointed out that the absence of information in local languages impedes early treatment-seeking behavior among individuals at the grassroots level. Late arrivals at health centers pose significant challenges to effective treatment.
Upon completion of the translation process, Mwesiga mentioned that disseminating information through village health teams would become more effective, ensuring that it reaches individuals in their native languages. He disclosed that $10,000 is being sought to fulfill the translation task.
Mwesiga further mentioned that while the government has integrated palliative care positions in certain facilities like the Uganda Heart Institute and Uganda Cancer Institute, these positions remain unfilled. He urged the government and the Ministry of Health to prioritize recruitment for these roles. Additionally, Mwesiga proposed training more professionals to address the manpower shortage in these critical positions.
Professor Anne Merriman, the founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, recounted the inception of palliative care services in Uganda in 1993 during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Dr. James Makumbi, the Minister of Health at the time, enlisted Merriman to introduce palliative care and make affordable oral morphine drugs available to alleviate the suffering of Ugandans.
Merriman commended PCAU for expanding palliative care services across multiple districts in Uganda, establishing the country as a pioneering model for palliative care services in Africa. She urged the government to formalize the palliative care document based on the Merriman model, aimed at enhancing palliative care nationwide.
Palliative care is a specialized medical approach aimed at alleviating symptoms and stress associated with serious illnesses, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families. This holistic care addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, extending beyond end-of-life care.
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