About Us
Increasing demand for palliative care as part of UHC in South Africa and Ethiopia
Being HIV positive, Robert has been receiving hospice care services for over two years in the Northern Cape South Africa. For patients like Robert, Universal Health Coverage includes access to affordable palliative care services in the comfort of his home, without worry around transportation costs, waiting times or wondering whether he has the strength to make the journey to receive care.
Latest news
This project has now come to an end although its impact continues in the voices of those with lived experience. In the last months, in partnership with palliative care providers in country, we made a series of short films to highlight the direct impact that palliative care has had on those living in low and middle income countries.
The voices of adults living in South Africa can be heard here, explaining how CHoiCe Trust in Tzaneen has improved the quality of their lives whilst living at home, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Margaret
When COVID-19 struck, Margaret’s condition of a tumour in her throat, made her community fearful of her, because her voice was weak and they thought she had the virus. CHoICe Trust helped her when she needed them most.
You will hear the powerful testimony of Roseline, who is 44 and lives in the Nkowankowa Township. Her cancer was undiagnosed for many years. Palliative care has impacted her life in a very positive way.
Samuel is 50 and is living with cancer and HIV in Mamitwa Village. His deterioration meant he could no longer climb the small hills where he lived, and had to give up work. The food parcels and medication that he received as part of his palliative care during the Covid-19 pandemic have improved his quality of life.
Living with breast cancer, with no food or medication was extremely tough for Ennie and her family. She was 49 when she died at home in Mokgapeng Village, but had been supported by the CHoiCe Trust with palliative care, improving the quality of the life that she had left.
Palliative care in many parts of South Africa is not available to the majority of the population. Here, Ennie, Roseline and Anniki tell the Minister of Health how it has positively impacted their lives.
About the project
We aim to increase the voice of direct stakeholders (people living with conditions that require palliative care now or may in the future) in South Africa and Ethiopia and share learning throughout Anglophone Africa.
Previous research has identified a low demand for palliative care, and lack of political will as two main barriers to accessing palliative care. This project will address these two issues and should provide lessons for others to use worldwide.
We will engage direct stakeholders to tell their story and speak out about the issues that matter most to them. The project is a model collaboration between international, regional, national and community-level groups, as well as individual patients and carers.
We will share the stories to specific target audiences using social media, as well as through regional and national news media, organisational communications channels, community meetings, and direct advocacy with national governments.
Project media
Please see the links below for media produced though the project.
South Africa
Training materials
Media publications
Video
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Fatima Hassan, palliative care patient in Western Cape, sharing her experience of hospice services.
- Anwar Veldsman, palliative care patient caregiver: ‘I’ve cared for my wife 24/7 although I had a 9 to 5 job…had I known what I know today about hospice, I would have made inquiries long ago.’
- Petra Burger, palliative care direct stakeholder: ‘Demand Palliative Care for Yourself and Your Loved Ones!’
Audio
Print/ online
5 stars for Living Hope – The Echo
Social media graphics
Palliative care patients and caregivers
- Robert on living with HIV: ‘Palliative care is provided in the comfort of my home.’
- Fatima on palliative care services for ovarian cancer: ‘Hospice has shown me so much compassion…’
- Anwar on caring for a loved one: ‘I would have made inquiries long ago’
- John: ‘Hospice care has taught me there is always a reason to smile, you just have to find it.’
Petra Burger
Ethiopia
Training materials
Videos
Project partners
The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA), The African Palliative Care Association (APCA), the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) of South Africa and Hospice Ethiopia.
This important project is made possible by the kind support of The Joffe Charitable Trust.
