TollFree: 0800 399100
Become A Member|Contact Us

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Phone*
Contact Address
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
TollFree: 0800 399100
Become A Member|Contact Us

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Phone*
Contact Address
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
DonateBecome a Member

Dr. Anne Merriman Fund for Uganda (DAMFU)

Continuing a Legacy of Compassion and Dignity in Palliative Care

The Dr. Anne Merriman Fund for Uganda (DAMFU) honors the enduring legacy of a visionary pioneer who transformed healthcare across Africa. Dr. Merriman introduced affordable oral morphine to Uganda, founded Hospice Africa Uganda in 1993, and co-founded the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU). Today, this national fund carries her mission forward, designed to enhance resource mobilization and financial efficiency to sustain and scale vital palliative care services across the country.

In a global effort to preserve this enduring legacy, PCAU is proud to launch this fund in close partnership with Hope on Wheels Africa, a dedicated, volunteer-led organization inspired by Dr. Merriman’s lifework. Under the leadership of our distinguished Fund Patron, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (Prime Minister Emeritus of the Republic of Uganda and Special Presidential Envoy), DAMFU operates under rigorous, transparent criteria to ensure that every contribution directly impacts patients who need it most.

Celebrating the official launch of the Hope on Wheels Fund alongside our partners at the Ministry of Health Dr. Anne Merriman at 90th Birthday Dr. Anne Merriman Memorial Studio at Hospice Africa Uganda Dr. Anne Merriman at Her book launch "THAT'S HOW THE Light GOT IN

Palliative Care in Uganda

While Uganda stands out as a beacon of excellence, ranking as the only African country at an advanced level of palliative care development on the 2025 Global Palliative Care Map, the local demand vastly outstrips available resources.

Currently, Uganda’s palliative care services reach only 11% of the over 500,000 individuals in direct need of pain relief and holistic support.

The critical gaps facing our health system include:

  • Severe Professional Shortages: The country urgently requires over 3,000 qualified palliative care providers, yet only about 300+ are currently available.
  • Geographic Disparities: Of 146 districts, 39 lack a single accredited healthcare facility offering palliative care, leaving rural populations isolated.
  • Vulnerable Populations Left Behind: There is critically low focus and specialized infrastructure for pediatric patients, the elderly, and the nearly 2 million refugees hosted within Uganda.
  • Symptom Management Barriers: Out of nearly 2,000 accredited health facilities, only 350 have staff with basic palliative competencies, leaving patients at home with uncontrolled pain.

DAMFU Areas of Focus

To bridge these gaps, DAMFU targets funding toward nine core priority areas across Uganda:

  1.  Specialist Training & Scholarships: Funding certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees to expand the pool of qualified health workers.
  2. Pediatric Palliative Care: Initiating specialized children’s services and establishing vital children’s hostels for young patients accessing treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).
  3. Strengthening Home-Based Care: Enhancing mobile outreach models and training community-based volunteers to manage symptoms directly in patients’ homes.
  4. Expanding Geographic Reach: Establishing new programs and strengthening palliative care units in completely underserved, rural districts.
  5. Humanitarian & Refugee Support: Increasing access to cancer diagnosis, referral navigation,
    and pain relief within refugee settlements and emergency-prone areas.
  6. Direct Patient Support & Medical Devices: Providing essential medical commodities directly to
    families, including opioid lockboxes, colostomy bags, pressure-reducing mattresses, and oxygen.
  7. Patient Navigation & Referral Systems: Enhancing coordination from lower-level health facilities and hospices to the UCI to minimize treatment abandonment for both adults and children.
  8. Public Education & Compassionate Communities: Promoting school awareness campaigns,
    public lectures, and establishing the Dr. Merriman Memorial Room to counter end-of-life stigmas.
  9. Data Documentation & Research: Strengthening the collection of palliative indicators within the National Health Management Information System (HMIS) to drive evidence-based advocacy and policy.

Our Support

PCAU, working in direct coordination with Hope on Wheels Africa, is actively kickstarting DAMFU through concrete operational and financial interventions:

  1. Ambulance Mobilization & Deployment: PCAU is managing the allocation, clearance, and donation of 11 fully mobilized ambulances from Ireland to selected partner hospices and hospitals (including Hospice Tororo, Kitovu Mobile, St. Kizito Matanyi Hospital, Kawempe Home Care, Kabale Christian Care, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, and Hospice Africa Uganda) to scale up community home care.
  2. Transparent Grant Management: PCAU will disburse mobilized funds through a strict, competitive 12-month grant framework.
  3. Accountability Safeguards: To ensure financial integrity, funds will be distributed in verified stages. Grants strictly target direct patient care, essential commodities, and service integration, excluding staff salaries, new human resource recruitments, or building construction. Recipient affiliates must comply with periodic progress audits, inspections, and strict governance reviews.
Learn More

Partnership Focus

Our Goal

In collaboration with Hope on Wheels Africa, we are actively campaigning to raise USD 500,000 by June 2026 to fund these critical interventions.

Palliative Care for All

Your generosity can alleviate severe pain, restore dignity, and offer a peaceful environment for thousands of adults and children facing life-limiting illnesses across Uganda.

Ways to Give

To give directly to the ongoing global campaign, visit the official fundraising portal at https://www.idonate.ie/cause/hopeonwheels 

Want to get involved?

Toll Free : 0800 399 100

pcau.admin@pcau.org.ug

Palliative Care Association of Uganda
Block 383, Plot 8804 Kitende, Entebbe Road
PO Box 34985, Kampala, Uganda