02 Sep 2014

Chief health officer in the Ministry of Health, Ms Gaboelwe Rammekwa has applauded the Holy Cross Hospice for its achievements in its 20 years of service

Giving a keynote address at the Holy Cross Hospice’s 20th anniversary celebration on August 30, Ms Rammekwa said the Ministry of Heath,  viewed Holy Cross Hospice as a partner in their joint efforts to ensure that appropriate care was accessible to all people.

She said it had been observed that misunderstanding of the palliative care and standard medical care might deter people from accessing care from the hospice when they needed it.

She explained the difference between the two; that palliative care was specifically directed towards relieving pain and other symptoms, mainly in the context of life-limiting illnesses.

“It is not in itself designed to cure or control illness and it is therefore of supreme relevance in caring for patients who have incurable illness in order to make whatever time remains for them to live comfortable and free of pain and other symptoms,” she said.

Ms Rammekwa stressed that palliative care is also an integral part of the treatment programmes for diseases such as cancer She added that it is thus an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life threatening illness through management of pain and other problems.

In recognition of the fact that despite its commitment to God, palliative care, Ms Rammekwa said there were still many shortcomings. “The Ministry of Heath conducted a situational analysis a few years ago to guide us as we seek to rectify the problems,” she said.

She congratulated all people who have served in Holy Cross Hospice during the past 20 years for their pioneering work and what they have achieved.

She assured them that the Ministry of Health will continue to encourage and offer them whatever support it can.

Different beneficiaries of the hospice gave testimony on the good services they get from Holy Cross Hospice a Non-Government Organisation that delivers palliative care services to improve the quality of life and well-being of people with life limiting illnesses. Ends