Going the extra mile with the bare essentials: home care in Uganda

摘要

The development of a home care service from small beginnings in Uganda to becoming a model for African countries is described. This model has proved that palliative care can be adapted to the cultural and economic needs of an African country. The greatest contribution to the success of this programme has been the introduction of affordable oral morphine which can be taken in the home by the patient with the assistance of relatives. With holistic care it is now possible to give the patient the best chance of dying peacefully in the place and with the people they choose. Palliative care has taken root and is included in the current Ugandan 5-Year Health Plan. The integrated education programme ensures that palliative care is embedded in the Ugandan medical curriculum and widens the number of health professionals with knowledge of palliative care. This same programme provides the basis for initiators from other African countries to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.