By Tanaka Mudadada | Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Assistant
Introduction and background Island Hospice and Healthcare (Island) uses several models to deliver palliative care services namely (i) home-based care; (ii) hospital-based care iii) Rural and community outreach iv) Roadside services (v) therapeutic and comprehensive bereavement care, including for children; and (vi) capacity-building for doctors, nurses, community caregivers and others. The therapeutic and comprehensive bereavement care is tailored to support individuals through their grief, catering to both adults and children affected by loss. This service is inclusive, addressing the needs of those mourning a variety of losses, from patients who were in Island’s care to sudden, unexpected events such as car accidents, suicides, or heart attacks. Intervention and outcomes From November 2023 through January 2024, Island delivered care to those grappling with life-threatening conditions and extended a supportive hand to the bereaved. Island staff offered an array of mental wellness services, including bereavement support, trauma-focused debrief sessions, and the formation of partner loss support groups, all tailored to nurture the emotional well-being of clients. Furthermore, Island spearheaded a series of trainings and workshops aimed at enhancing the proficiency and empathy of palliative and bereavement care among staff and external organisations. The trainings included palliative care (PC) training to student nurses and caregiver module training. Attaches from Makerere university studying towards Bachelor of Science in palliative care were attached at island Harare branch for one month. This collaboration is strengthening our partnership, as it is also increasing our visibility as students will be sent in for learning, hence making Island a demonstration site for practical palliative care. ZIMPAPERS, in association with Island hosted the 8th Annual Cancer Power Walk on 4 November 2023 across six cities: Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru, and Chinhoyi. Since its inception in 2016, the Zimpapers Annual Cancer Power Walk, in collaboration with Island, has established itself as a pivotal advocacy platform, dedicated to elevating awareness around the pressing national and global issue of cancer. Beyond its role in education and advocacy, the event has evolved into a significant fundraising initiative, supporting the vital palliative care services undertaken by Island. Island also raised awareness of prostate cancer through sharing risk factors and symptoms, playing a crucial role in encouraging men to get screened, promoting early diagnosis. Island raised awareness to more than 400 men which led to 173 and more being screened. Between November 2023 and January 2024, Island provided care to 331 (136 Males: 195 Females) patients, a marginal decrease from 351 supported in the previous reporting period. Patients and clients were cared for through 1,748 contacts, a decrease from 2,846 contacts in the previous reporting period. Virtual contacts (712) continued to dominate Island’s means of delivering services followed by home visits (597) and office contacts (197). Other contacts were made through hospital ward rounds (124), roadside clinics (54) and hospital visits (64). The two stories below demonstrate typical changes to people’s lives because of Island interventions. Story of Change 1: Palliative Care, a new dawn Navigating the complexities of my father’s metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis profoundly impacted our family dynamics and underscored the importance of resilience and adaptability. I am the eldest child in a tight-knit family that includes my sister, mother, and my late father. When my father was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, a condition when the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, I bore witness to the full spectrum of emotions—denial, anger, fear—that accompany such a life-altering diagnosis. These emotions impeded my father’s acceptance of the condition he was in, and this consequently prompted my mother to seek professional help for my father. The oncologist who was working with my father referred us to Island Hospice and Healthcare (Island) and we were assigned a palliative care physician. My father, a typical African patriarch, equated seeking help from a psychologist or counsellor with weakness because that means you are expressing all your emotional and mental struggles and fears. It took my father a long time for him to finally agree to work with the physician from Island. My mother, in her role as the primary caregiver, was instrumental in managing both the physical and psychosocial complexities of my father’s condition. The physician from Island was Godsent. His ability to facilitate crucial family discussions, provide referrals, and offer guidance on managing my father’s care showcased his exceptional bedside manner and commitment to our well-being. Island’s intervention greatly eased the burden on my mother, and it was a crucial part in preserving my father’s comfort and dignity in his final days. I think that father when he was still alive, he got to see that the physician was doing the best to get him as comfortable as possible during his sickness. To see that gradual progression of my father from the misconceptions that, “we can’t talk about these issues”, to his reliance on Island’s physician guidance, was a testament to the power of patience and dedication required to overcome deep-seated stigmas. Reflecting on this experience, I offer a piece of heartfelt advice to those navigating similar paths: embrace the support offered by healthcare professionals and loved ones. You have to understand that your family is always looking out for your best interests. In honour of my father’s generous spirit and his wish to help others, we donated medication and medical equipment to Island. I know if he was still alive, he would have wanted these to help another family. Story of Change 2: A help in time of need I am a single parent, I separated with my husband 8 years ago. Tino, my firstborn lived with his father while I stayed with my partner. In 2010, Tino was raped by an 18-year-old boy who lived in our neighbourhood. Tino was just 13 years old when this happened. He reported the incident to us. We reported the case, and the court sentenced the boy to prison. The subsequent years brought further hardship as Tino's health began to decline in 2014. A devastating HIV diagnosis was compounded by a lack of response to treatment and the onset of Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer associated with severe HIV infection. Tino also suffered from additional complications, including anal warts and haemorrhoids, which caused him immense discomfort. Witnessing my son's suffering was an indescribable ordeal, prompting me to prioritize his care above all else.I had to leave my partner and stay with Tino to closely monitor his health. In a stroke of compassion, a neighbor assisted us by facilitating Tino's medical treatment in South Africa. However, the escalating costs eventually became unsustainable, and Tino returned to Zimbabwe. The hospital which Tino was admitted in South Africa gave him a referral letter for palliative care. My relatives took the letter to GALZ (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe) who referred him to Island Hospice and Healthcare (Island). The team at Island provided exceptional support, managing Tino's pain and guiding us in his care, while also extending much-needed sustenance through food hampers. The emotional fortitude required to care for Tino was immense, but the unwavering support from Island was a beacon of hope. Their holistic approach to care, including family counseling, was instrumental in helping us navigate this heart-wrenching period. Sadly, Tino passed away in June 2023, but even in bereavement, Island's compassionate support continued. I am eternally grateful to Island for their commitment to alleviating my son's suffering and for the comprehensive support they provided to our family during the most challenging times.
By Lovemore Mupaza | Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Coordinator
By Lovemore Mupaza | Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Coordinator
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