Additional resources for Home based Palliative Care Project

Cecilia Stephens

Home based Palliative Care Project

Since October 2008 volunteer workers from the Anglican Diocese of Southern  Malawi have been involved in a project to deliver home based palliative care to patients suffering from HIV & Aids, and other chronic disease. This project is funded by the National Aids Commission and delivered in conjunction with local statutory health services and NGO’s

Capacity to operate in all 22 parishes was created by hosting training course for priests and volunteers in October 2008.  In April 2009 volunteers assembled at the diocesan headquarters for a review seminar and to share experiences.  Participants reported steady progress, with assistance offered to a then recorded  total of some 500 patients.  Main stumbling blocks were still the stigma attached to acknowledging the need for help, reluctance of communities to refer patients, a lack of transport to reach patients in remote areas, and of supplies for basic medical care and hygiene. 

Plans to assist on the last two points were already in the pipeline, and by mid May all Parishes had received a bicycle and a sturdy lockable box of medical supplies.

Below is a picture story of their distribution

one of the bikes	box of medical supplies
bikes on board..the diocesan lorry at Chilombe church	at Malawi Parish ..the family joins in
Checking the paperwork ...at Shire Parish	hand over at Chichiri Parish ..