PALLIATIVE CARE/PATHOLOGY LAB

When you look at the word “Palliative”, it means to bring relief, to cloak. It is a holistic care approach for those suffering from chronic disease or any stage of serious illness, as well as those at end of life. We support patients and their families physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually to provide dignity and quality of life when they are most vulnerable. Mozambique needs this care approach in the North, and it starts with program development and awareness at the community level while training local volunteers and staff. Included in the Palliative Care program is an evolving partnership with Beit CURE Children’s Hospital in Malawi to care for children with bone/skin deformities and disease.

Our program has grown from a very small District Home Based program to the pioneering of a Provincial Hospital level program which involves developing National government home care and healthcare staff. With overwhelming chronic and terminal disease, we have narrowed our focus recently to children and those in our communities suffering with cancer. Our newest phase of this programming includes setting up a Pain Consult Office and the construction of an Pathology Lab (see pictorial rendering below).

Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the palliative care movement, said:

“You matter because you are. You matter to the last moment of your life and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die”.

Testimony:

Amido was only 16 when we met him. I was visiting his neighbor when his mom approached me to say her son was dying and needed help. After many visits, medications, wound care, surgery, and prayer…Amido is now walking, going to school and has a tutor helping him with several of his classes. He is thankful and a walking miracle because of Palliative Care and our partnership with Beit CURE Hospital.