Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, we decided that this year we would hold our annual gathering on line via Zoom. This gave us a great opportunity to welcome some of our partners and supporters, who would otherwise be unable to travel to Scotland, to join us.

 We had an enjoyable afternoon on Saturday 27th June meeting up with each other and learning about what Cairdeas has been up to since we all met last year. Invited speakers were Dr Chitra Venkateswaren from the MEHAC Foundation talking to us about how they are adapting palliative care principles for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in India, Elizabeth Namukwaya updated us on the work of PcERC and MPCU in Uganda. Dr Elizabeth Swain talked about her visit to Gaza and the Palliative care conference for Palestine. Sarah Robinson and Vicki Opia told us about the work of the Peace Hospice in Adjumani district  and Sarah’s visit there last summer.

Dr Mhoira Leng, our Medical Director gave an update on the ongoing work of Cairdeas during this last year and how it has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also introduced our new Operations director, Ian Robinson, who joined us in May.

For part of the afternoon, we were able to break off into breakout rooms to chat in smaller groups which enabled us to meet some of our partners in person as well as each other.

The afternoon was recorded on video, which you can find in the resources section of the website for anyone who missed the Gathering to catch up, or for anyone who wants to recap on the talks.

We are delighted to announce that Ian Robinson has recently been appointed as our new UK Operations Director. Ian takes over from Sarah Robinson who has served faithfully over the last 18 months. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah for all the work that she has done for Cairdeas over the time she has been with us.

Ian recently retired from a long career as a chartered electrical engineer. He has worked on project work in the UK and overseas for heavy industries. He has also in recent years run his own consultancy business and brings skills in this area to our operation.

Ian has also been a volunteer for various organisations for many years. For quite a long time he has volunteered as a befriender for Care for the Family’s Bereaved Parents Support network and has also been involved in fund raising for the Brain Tumour charity, Hope for the Future, Parkinsons UK and the Mustard Tree Trust (Northumberland).

Ian is interested in music and plays in Morpeth community Jazz Orchestra. He is also a keen runner and was due to run in the Great North Run this year. Ian is a keen Sunderland supporter.

To our dear supporters,

Hope we are all keeping safe during these times!

We want to appreciate and thank you for responding to our appeal for financial support and prayers during this period of Covid-19.  We are delighted to let you know that our patient care has continued during this period and we are happy to bring you some updates.

Access to care and support

In the month of April, we cared for 22 patients in the hospitals as well as following them up by telephone especially for those that had been discharged or those that were very far away and couldn’t make it to hospital for reviews.

The main challenge for our patients is access care and follow up during this lockdown period is transport as a result of the ban on both public and private transport, so we have supported them to meet the costs of hiring a vehicle or motorcycle to get them to hospital.

And he says …… “I am grateful for the love and care. It has given me hope and courage to complete my treatment without being worried of missing any of the treatment”

Patient AY’s ray of hope during this difficult time.

“ ….Covid 19 has robbed me of my family support, no one visits and they  rarely call because you will tell them of your problems.  I used to get my social support from my family but all is gone.  I live in isolation only my neighbor tries to help me once in a while.  Everything is a struggle I never stop to think and worry that if I died now my loved ones will not even be allowed to send me off decently.  It is a terrible time and the worst moment of my life.  Please keep communicating to me it’s very reassuring to hear from people like you, you care. May God bless you and your team, I am now part of the palliative care family…”

Vicky’s (Peace Hospice Adjumani) motor bike riding skills have been so handy during this period as she is able to ride and get to her patients and be able to offer care and support.

Vicky says “……Amidst this pandemic we need to hear a voice that gives hope and care, this was made possible by the airtime! My physical presence with the patients in the community hasn’t only improved the quality of their life but it brought unity and peace in people’s homes because the pain is gone.  Today those referrals made directly to Lacor or Mulago near pass via the Palliative Care Unit, friends even amidst challenges there is something for us to learn, lets trace it….. “ Vicky

My motivation comes from the smiles of Hope of my patients!

Toko Friday is our volunteer coordinator and he directly supports palliative care patients as part of the multi-disciplinary team, during this period he has continued to bring joy and hope to the patients and families, he provides psychosocial, spiritual assessments and support, helps patients navigate complex networks, refers patients to other services and offers practical support such as accessing medications and physical exercises. 

However, during this period due to the government’s measure of a ban on public and private transport getting to the hospital he has to walk 18.6kms to Mulago and back in order to offer support to patients with palliative care needs and along the way he encounters different police checks and being a rainy season sometimes the heavy rains hinder him as he walks but because of the love and passion he has for the vulnerable patients he endures all this so he is able to continue offering the help and support even during these difficult times and moments  and his  motivation comes from seeing his patients smile with hope as they appreciate his care and support.  

Connecting!

Being able to access internet during this lockdown has made a huge different and enhanced our interactions with other palliative care providers locally and internationally as we are able to join various discussions on issues emerging as a result of Covid-19 and the impact on palliative services, we have been part of these, learnt and shared.

Locally the Palliative care Association of Uganda (PCAU) has organized zoom meetings for the palliative care fraternity in Uganda, these are weekly discussions and are ongoing.  Some of the topics we have discussed have included;

• Psychosocial support for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
•  Cancer services in Uganda during Covid-19 – response.
• On International Labour Day; recognizing and honoring all palliative care providers that have contributed to the growth of this specialty in Uganda.

• The right to Palliative care Uganda, during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak

The aim of these discussions to remain updated on what is happening, challenges, suggestions and support solutions to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The African Palliative Care Association also organized a discussion on; Strategies to engage African communities to be proactive in the prevention of COVID and we were happy to be part of it.

ICMDA webinar: Palliative care of Covid-19 patients in low resource settings by Dr. Mhoira Leng

These are just some of the sessions that we have participated in but they are so many and we have learnt a lot and continue to learn.

Self-protection!

Our team is dedicated to providing the care and support to the patient and their families but they also need to feel protected and now that we got the equipment, we will do our best.

 “We expect to offer good health for everyone and a comforting and dignified death for those departing” Florence

We thank you for your continued support.

God bless you all and please stay safe!