Mother of Mercy Hospice

The hospice is proud of its ability to provide not just basic health care but a quality of health care usually unavailable in impoverished communities. Working in communities that are challenged economically as well as by disease and starvation, the supportive care provided by this hospice attends to all the patients needs. The integrated approach fostered by this organisation expands the meaning of hospice work to include aggressive therapies, public health work and nutritional support. The director believes that the majority of their patients die pain-free, and although resources are limited and the demand so high, they try to respond to every call they receive. This hospice also feels that they recognise and support people living with AIDS in what is still a stigmatising environment.

The ARV programme that started in February 2003 is regarded as a success. Alison Hill:

We had a child come in who hadn’t walked for 2 years, with a CD4 count of 11. We started her on ARVs and her count is at about 300 now.¹⁷

Jon Hospice

The de-stigmatisation of hospice being associated with AIDS and with dying is a big achievement for this service. Patients are often discharged and continue to live normal lives and increasingly the hospice is viewed as providing a much-needed service. Margaret Chirwa:

We have been able to rehabilitate people and get them back home…initially people believed that when they came to hospice they would die. Now we see people even after a year and it is very nice for us.²⁶

Kabwe Kara Counselling/Ranchhod House

Mary Chidgey, who has been instrumental in establishing these centres, attributes the vibrancy and rapid growth of the services to the dynamic personality of the manager who has successfully created a true community service. The central location of the drop-in centre ensures high accessibility and acceptance. The energetic volunteers and staff at the hospice are committed to providing a service that meets the needs of the local community.

Our Lady’s Hospice

Sr. Crucis considers they have succeeded in their core business of providing clinical support and knowledge to international standards. They would like to share this knowledge with other organisations doing similar work and hope to improve the standard of care. There is little formal training in palliative care in this country and this hospice has concerns about the quality of care provided and would like to improve those.

Cicetekelo Hospice ( Ndola Hospice)

A major success of the hospice is the establishment of St. Theresa’s village approximately 7 km away. Patients who are discharged from the hospice and who have nowhere to stay, can live here and continue to receive supportive care from 25 caregivers employed by the hospice.