From 12th-16th August 2024, we hosted a 5-day introductory short course training in palliative care for health workers. The training was held in partnership with St. Francis Hospital Nsambya Training School. PCAU is grateful to the school for offering the training venues and required amenities for the course. The short course introduces the philosophy, principles, and best practices of palliative care to participants. The course is organized annually and is facilitated by palliative care experts from the Ministry of Health, PCAU, and partnering institutions.

The short course entails engaging, informative, well-tailored sessions. Some of the topics taught include the concept of total pain, fundamentals of palliative care and basic communication, Holistic pain assessment and management in children and adults, principles of symptom control, and a practicum clinical rotation at Hospice Africa Uganda which included a tour to the morphine production unit.

The course was attended mainly by health workers from private health facilities in the greater Kampala area. After the training, most of the participants noted that they had acquired essential knowledge to improve their practice.

“…initially, assessing pain in children was a challenge, but now, I know how to handle it and I appeal for more refresher courses.”

A nurse participant from St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, 

“It is a very good course with very good tutors…you learn how to handle patients. I realize that palliative care is a very important field in our medical practice…I would advise you to come and attend this course, it is very interactive, and informative and you would do better for your patients” 

Participant Dr. Damian from the Joint Clinical Research Centre

The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Palliative Care Dr. Moses Muwanga, who facilitated the closing ceremony appreciated PCAU for delivering the course.  All participants who completed the course successfully received certificates of attendance. To learn more about other PCAU capacity-building initiatives please, visit the PCAU website or email capacitybuilding@pcau.org.ug.