On July 9, 2024, PCAU handed medical sundries supplies to 6 hospices. These were:

• New Life Hospice Arua (NELIHA)
• SD Cancer Palliative Care Centre
• Jinja, Uganda, Kabale Christian Care (KCC)
• Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU) for Little Hospice Hoima site
• Kitovu Mobile Masaka,
• Lweza Health Community Program.

The items distributed included colostomy bags, diapers, crutches, wound care materials, bandages, gloves, reusable aprons, mackintosh sheets, and other essential medical sundries critical for the patient’s comfort and dignity.

Access to medical supplies is a major challenge for many economically disadvantaged patients in Uganda. Patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses are faced with co-morbidities resulting from the side effects of the medications and disease progression on their journey of care. This exposes them to significant costs associated with medical supplies and expenses related to managing their condition. These costs often create financial strain and difficulty for patients and their families thus compromising their quality of life.

With support from partners, PCAU has extended vital support to hospices and palliative care units targeting indigent patients who receive the priority essential medical sundries to use at home and while at the hostels awaiting treatment. Over the last 4 years, this initiative by PCAU has supported close to 1000 patients nationwide. The other hospices reached with this support by PCAU are JOY Hospice Mbale, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ), Kitagata Hospital, Mobile Hospice Mbarara, and palliative care units at Regional Referral Hospitals of Mbale, Masaka and Mbarara.

At a brief ceremony to hand over the items, Dr. Baguma Bildard, the Executive Director at Joint Medical Stores (JMS) who was invited as Chief Guest underscored the importance of holistic care and pledged continued partnership with PCAU.  

Hospices play a crucial role in providing holistic care to patients and families. However, limited funding often hampers their ability to provide all the necessary materials to those in need. PCAU’s contributions help bridge this gap, ensuring that patients who cannot afford medical supplies still receive them PCAU continues to seek partners and donors for the plight of the patients. In case you would like to partner with PCAU on this cause please get in touch with us. We will be grateful.