Al Malath Foundation

Rana Hammad set up Al Malath in 1993, in response to a need to provide care and comfort to patients at the end of life. For her and hospice medical director, Mazen Al Bashir, the success of Al Malath lies in their dedication to be totally committed and present for the patient and the family; attending to all aspects of the patient and family needs, medical, personal, social and spiritual. The team will support the patient and family throughout final stages of life, staying with them through the last hours, however long, and after the patient dies will maintain support for the grieving family, wherever appropriate. Mazen Al Bashir suggests that the vital element of Al Malath is that ‘We think of the human being, the whole person and the family…’⁵⁰

There is anxiety that the over-medicalisation of end of life care results in a loss of the holistic and humane approach, felt so essential by Al Malath. Thus, the team encourages the newer developing services to hold to the compassionate element of palliative care.

King Hussein Cancer Centre

A combination of support from the existing expertise of Al Malath and WHO, together with the determination to develop a wide coverage of services is proving successful in setting up several teams at KHCC. The Director of Nursing Education, Ahmad Al Khateib is dedicated in his resolve to create a regional training centre and encourage a wide uptake across Jordan, and the region, of the concepts and practice of palliative care.