By Zipporah Kyomuhangi
From March 1st – 3rd this year, we joined Rotary Clubs in Uganda for their Rotary Northern Mega Fellowship which was held in Arua City. They had a captivating theme: “Creating Hope in Palliation.”
The three days were filled with a spirit of compassion. Over 200 people from over 10 Rotary Clubs gathered and spoke about the main need to relieve pain and suffering among many patients and families faced with life-limiting illnesses.
PCAU Executive Director Mark-Donald Mwesiga was the keynote speaker at the event. He thanked Rotarians for their tireless effort to create hope around Uganda and the world. He gave an update on palliative care in Uganda and appealed for Rotary’s support for different initiatives. He emphasized that Rotary’s 4-way test resonates well with the gist of what palliative care is about. He presented tangible evidence of PCAU’s impactful programs. Among them, he highlighted the Road to Hope initiative, a beacon of hope that has effectively disrupted the cycle of poverty by supporting child caregivers of patients receiving palliative care.
The Chief Guest was Hon. Anite Anita, the State Minister of Finance who acknowledged the importance of palliative care and pledged support too. The District Governor Rotary D9213, Edward Kakembo Nsubuga affirmed that indeed palliative care was essential. He noted that PCAU needs to do more awareness and sensitization of communities.
The fellowship culminated in the launching of a ‘Palliative Care Awareness Project’, by New Life Hospice Arua (NELIHA) which is a satellite facility of PCAU. Rotarians in Arua are committed to supporting the initiative.
For us at PCAU, the Rotary Northern Mega Fellowship wasn’t just an event; it was a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of collaboration. It serves as a reminder that together; we can create a world where palliative care is a fundamental human right.
Thanks to all the Rotarians.
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