Beyond treatment: Why palliative professionals are the hidden specialists in cancer care A cancer diagnosis instantly triggers fears of death and the months of treatment that lie ahead. Going through surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy is by no means pleasant, but there is little question that for many, they are the most effective medical means of fighting the disease. Yet the battle against cancer is not only waged in surgery and hospital outpatient and oncology facilities. Cancer doesn’t only attack the body – it also lays siege to finances, families, mental health, and the patient’s dignity. It is on these fronts that palliative care – long misconstrued as a discipline reserved only for the terminally ill – is winning the war. At the time of her diagnosis, cancer survivor Sophia felt helpless and alone. She had been going through a stressful divorce while at the same time was responsible for taking care of her elderly mother. She was desperate for advice and, thankfully, her neighbour pointed her in the direction of Helderberg Hospice in the Western Cape. Sophia was admitted to the 24-hour Intermediate Care Facility for pain and wound care management. Though she felt embarrassed and unsure of what to expect, the kindness of the nurses and the provision of new pyjamas immediately gave her a sense of dignity and reassurance. Aside from providing her with delicious meals, the team at Helderberg Hospice also assisted her with arranging temporary care for her mother while she was at the facility. In addition, her social worker assigned her to a support group, which provided a community of people who truly understood what she was going through and helped her at both the practical and emotional levels. Sophia says this experience enabled her to feel seen and heard, respected and valued. Hanneke Lubbe, chair of the Free State chapter of the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) and CEO of Hospice Bloemfontein, says Sophia’s story is one of hundreds like it that prove palliative care is not simply an end-of-life discipline. “There is a very big misconception about palliative care. Although palliative care includes end-of-life care, we actually get involved as soon as a life-limiting diagnosis is made,” Lubbe says. “We know a life-changing diagnosis needs more than just simple, normal care. It’s not just the patient; it also affects the people around them. They all need to come to terms with how to deal with this life-changing moment and journey.” According to statistics provided by 36 APCC members, so far in 2026, these centres are offering care to a combined total of 1,920 cancer patients and 8,076 family members. Should the pattern follow that of 2024 and 2025, more than 4,000 patients and over 17,000 family members will have sought assistance from these facilities by year-end. What palliative care professionals provide patients aligns with the 2026 World Cancer Day campaign, which calls for people-centred cancer care, emphasising lived experience, emotional realities, and care that adapts to each person’s unique circumstances. World Cancer Day is marked on February 4 each year. “Palliative care teams are not multidisciplinary – they are interdisciplinary,” Lubbe explains. “In a multidisciplinary team, each professional contributes from their own perspective, often working in parallel. An interdisciplinary team goes further: the different disciplines integrate their expertise, share decision-making, and develop a unified care plan. This collaborative approach ensures that patients receive truly coordinated, whole-person support.” “They are specialists in pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, spiritual care, family systems support, home-based clinical care and bereavement and anticipatory grief. “They also know how to negotiate South Africa’s fragmented health systems and are equipped with the requisite skills for trauma-informed communication and paediatric palliative care.” By tackling everything from food insecurity to providing counselling and emotional support, family support, home-based care, support for caregivers and culturally and language-aligned psychosocial care, the interdisciplinary specialist disciplines that fall within palliative care quietly hold patients and families together. As Dr Sinalo Maleho, a GP at East Rand Palliative Care, points out, palliative care helps manage patients’ pain and other symptoms, especially during their treatment programme. “This can help them fight the disease more effectively. Studies show those who receive palliative care live longer and have a higher quality of life than those who do not receive it.” APCC CEO Motlalentoa Motsoane hopes to see more medical professionals referring patients for palliative care soon after a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease is made. “Medical treatment and palliative care should be seen as working hand in hand. While surgery and chemotherapy focus on treating the disease, palliative care supports patients from the point of diagnosis with expert symptom and pain management, as well as psychological, social, and spiritual care,” says Motsoane. “It’s also important to understand that patients don’t necessarily remain in palliative care; some transition out of it if their condition improves or their treatment becomes curative.” ENDS

A testament to the resilience of the palliative care sector Hospice Week takes place this year from 4 to 10 May. This annual global week acknowledges the vital role that palliative care plays in the world. This year, the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) reflects on the extraordinary journey from the inception of hospices to the current palliative care landscape that provides vital resources to both insured and uninsured South Africans, through self-funding activities and limited formal financial support. It all started post a visit in 1979 from Dame Cicely Saunders, pioneer of the Hospice movement in the United Kingdom, HospiceWits was founded that year, followed by St Lukes Hospice in 1980, Highway Hospice and South Coast Hospice in 1982, Helderberg Hospice in 1986 and the formation of the Hospice Association of South Africa (HASA) in 1987. The timeline climbs from there, with the Association producing the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services, building qualification and training courses, supporting hospices, and dialoguing with the Department of Health to integrate palliative care into healthcare systems. A rebrand took place in 2007 to the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) as the word ‘hospice’ was, and still is, often understood to be ‘end-of-life care’. Another rebrand was launched in 2023 to the current APCC, defining palliative care as ‘the physical, psychological, social and spiritual care provided by an inter-disciplinary team of experts to anyone with a life-threatening illness and their loved ones. Care is offered from the point of diagnosis and extends to bereavement support if needed.’ During the COVID-19 pandemic for example, members of the APCC played a valuable and unseen role.  “We recognised at the time that COVID-19 infections fitted within the life-threatening diagnosis category,” says Tersia Burger, Interim CEO of the APCC and CEO of the Stepping Stone Hospice in Alberton. “People were ‘broken’ by COVID-19,” says Burger, who had the virus herself, “and what we found is that many needed rehabilitative support. Their families were also under stress as everyone suddenly faced mortality and there was a long recovery process in front of those that have been infected. Patients who had been in hospital were extremely weak and often suffered from depression and ‘covid-brain fog’, their families were not able to see them, and they and their families required physical and emotional care that was often outside of the capacity of those that love them. APCC members stepped into the gaps.” Another solid example of palliative care in action is the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Members provided palliative care to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, offering dignity and comfort during their final stages of life and supporting families affected by the pandemic, addressing their psychosocial needs and helping them cope with the stigma and emotional burden associated with the disease. In 2003, the Association received its first PEPFAR Grant. The grant was used to formalize existing HASA volunteer operational structures into full time appointments; to expand the geographic footprint of HASA; and to increase the number of HIV/AIDS patients cared for by HASA member hospices. Members became vital community outreach centres, educating people about HIV/AIDS and promoting awareness to reduce stigma. Once ARTs arrived on the scene, the palliative care sector focused on providing patients with as much relief as possible from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It also focused on compliance and adherence when taking chronic medicine. “With the huge impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, South Coast Hospice answered the call and established the first rural home-based care programme, in partnership with the KZN Department of Health,” says Di van Dyk, CEO of South Coast Hospice. “This model was adopted by the National Department of Health and called the ICHC (Integrated community Home Care) programme.” From data recorded by 42 members, in 2023 and 2024, between 18,000 and 22,000 people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones were assisted by APCC members. They ranged in age from newborn to past 80 years of age, across all racial and cultural demographics and often people who come to members with challenges related to HIV/AIDS, went on to live fulfilled lives. Many APCC members are financially stretched to provide the service to uninsured people despite the National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care (NPFSP) recognising hospices as community-based service providers for palliative care referrals in 2017. “Financial assistance from the DoH differs between provinces,” says Burger. “Eastern Cape members have received grants, whilst there is no funding for Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Free State, Northern Cape and the North-West. In the Western Cape, several members receive funding for integrated health and wellness programmes (prevention and promotion services), four receive funding for transitional care facilities and three receive funding for Palliative Care specifically. In KwaZulu Natal, 14 members receive assistance for palliative care services. In Gauteng, 8 members receive limited funding for 6 beds in their in-patient units.  This is very positive, but there is still a way to go towards ensuring that palliative care is accessible for everyone in South Africa.” APCC members have achieved wonders despite the many challenges that have come their way. Not only do they provide palliative care services, but they also provide training and work-readiness programmes. “One of our proudest achievements has been obtaining our QCTO accreditation” says Terran Gericke, Manager of White River Hospice. “This was an intensive process that challenged us but ultimately strengthened our resolve. We are pleased to share that we now hold a five-year accreditation, marking a significant step forward in our ability to train caregivers with excellence.  Another meaningful learning curve has been navigating how to provide our students with workplace experience. While we were unable to place them with our home-based patients due to limited resources, our commitment to their growth remains unwavering. For more information on the extraordinary achievements of APCC members, visit: https://apcc.org.za/palliative-care-milestones/ ENDS

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) of South Africa has launched a powerful photographic campaign to capture the dignity, comfort and support that patients facing life-threatening illness receive and deserve through the provision of palliative healthcare services. The initiative aligns with the theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 (WHPCD2025) on October 11, ‘Universal Access to Palliative Care’. “Rather than simply providing comfort to terminally-ill patients, a common misconception in South Africa, palliative care is a comprehensive service that integrates clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations – even in cases where a patient is not in the final stages of life,” says Hanneke Lubbe, CEO-Hospice Bloemfontein and APCC Chairperson – Free State. “The APCC’s ‘Through the Palliative Care Lens’ campaign aims to visually showcase the reality of the practice in action, with both the patient and their loved ones being supported from the point of diagnosis.” The Association’s non-profit member organisations, currently numbering 70, have submitted photographs taken in homes, clinics and communities that reflect the lived experience of patients. These visual galleries and accompanying captions providing the necessary context are free to view by the public, medical professionals and media on a dedicated WHPCD2025 website page. They will also appear broadly across members’ social media channels. “We want to visually share real on-the-ground scenarios,” says Lubbe. “It is essential that people understand the tangible difference palliative care makes to the lives of patients and their families so that they reach out to members early and are supported as soon as they have received their diagnosis.” The APCC is a proactive advocate for equitable access to comprehensive, high-quality palliative care across all communities. While financial support from the national Department of Health varies across provinces, many member organisations, often referred to as hospices, rely on fundraising to sustain their operations and deliver essential palliative services. This is why our position on the topic of medically assisted dying states that it should be outside the realm of palliative care. “While the Association recognises the importance of ongoing, respectful engagement with the topic of medically assisted dying,” says Lubbe, “we believe that there needs to be a focus on making sure that palliative care is available to everyone and that medically assisted dying is considered outside of the broader framework of palliative care. Before we debate how people die, we must ensure they have access to the care that helps them live with dignity.” Earlier this year, the fifth edition of the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services secured accreditation from the International Society for Quality in Health Care’s External Evaluation Association (ISQua IEEA). The Standards are developed through a long-standing partnership between the APCC and the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA) and the international endorsement reaffirms the commitment of the APCC to deliver world-class palliative care via their members. APCC’s CEO, Motlalentoa Motsoane encourages every South African to take time to view the WHPCD2025 website at https://apcc.org.za/world-hospice-palliative-care-day-2025/ . “These visual galleries truly encapsulate the extraordinary strength of effective palliative care in South Africa,” he says. ENDS

The 5th edition of the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services has achieved a major milestone: it has secured accreditation from the International Society for Quality in Health Care’s External Evaluation Association (IEEA). This international endorsement reaffirms the commitment of the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) to deliver world-class palliative care. As the only internationally accredited framework guiding palliative care institutions in South Africa, these Standards play a crucial role in ensuring quality, safety, and compassionate service delivery. Developed through a long-standing partnership between the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) and COHSASA, the Standards have been shaping palliative care excellence since 2005. The 5th edition—available for free at APCC’s website—features: ✔ A refined presentation structure for easier navigation ✔ Removal of outdated or duplicated criteria to streamline compliance ✔Changes in terms of new legislation, particularly as it relates to the POPI act ✔ New essential elements to enhance care quality Why accreditation matters According to Warren Oxford-Huggett, National Accreditation Manager for the APCC, earning accreditation requires time, energy and commitment, but the rewards are far-reaching. He highlights three key benefits: Optimal Community Engagement – Accredited palliative service providers gain increased community trust and support, strengthening relationships between institutions, families, and caregivers. “From a patient perspective, knowing that the organisation that is providing care is accredited puts your mind at ease.” Better Organisational Performance – Self assessments and internal peer reviews drive higher efficiency, sustainability, credibility and overall service quality. It revolves around the framework that COHSASA sets up. A Culture of Excellence – Accreditation fosters a mindset of continuous improvement, embedding best practices within healthcare teams. Oxford-Huggett also has a role to encourage more palliative care organisations to join APCC’s current 68-member network, particularly as demand grows for structured palliative care in elderly care facilities. Of the five latest institutions that are currently in the process of joining the APCC, four of them are facilities for the aged. “The market for new APCC members is increasingly swinging to more aged care facilities. What that will mean in terms of cost of care remains to be seen”, says Oxford-Huggett. “Many elderly care institutions advertise or market palliative care, but seldom is anyone adequately trained. It’s early days but we are looking at developing a collaborative model to help these frail care facilities implement structured, high-quality care at an affordable cost. With rising living expenses and an aging population, we must ensure end-of-life care remains accessible without imposing financial strain.” Mentorship for success To assist APCC members in meeting these high standards, APCC offers a structured mentorship programme, led by Oxford-Huggett. This initiative guides members through the compliance process, preparing them for COHSASA’s external review and international accreditation. APCC member, Helderberg Hospice, based in Somerset West, has just achieved their 6th accreditation, with their first accreditation achieved in May 2006.  Robert de Wet, the CEO of Helderberg Hospice comments: “In addition to focusing on clinical compliance, the accreditation process assesses criteria across the entire organisation, including areas relating to governance, fundraising, administration, and human resources. Subjecting your organisation to an intensive external accreditation process is important as it serves to both affirm the positive aspects of the work we do and simultaneously makes us aware of areas in which we require more focus.” They achieved a 97% score. Setting the Standard for Palliative Care Since 2005, 95 APCC members have undergone COHSASA accreditation, with 117 accreditation decisions issued—ranging from full accreditation to graded recognition. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and TB as well as conditions such as COPD, heart and organ failure.  The ​APCC philosophy of palliative care is the active holistic care of patients who have received a life-threatening diagnosis. The control of pain, of other symptoms and support for psychosocial and spiritual needs is paramount. APCC members report that around 90% of palliative care efforts take place in patients’ homes, extending support to loved ones, from diagnosis to after bereavement. Jacqui Stewart, CEO of COHSASA, affirms: “The international accreditation of this 5th edition confirms that the APCC standards align with global best practices. For over 20 years, the APCC and COHSASA have collaborated to ensure that South Africa’s palliative care remains internationally recognised. COHSASA is committed to driving ongoing improvements in palliative care services.” The 5th Edition of the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services is available free of charge from the APCC website: https://apcc.org.za/standards-for-palliative-healthcare-services/ For mentorship details, contact warren@apcc.org.za. For membership details, visit: Become a Member. ENDS

Two members of the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) have received their re-accreditation against the Standards for Palliative Health Care Services in the Western Cape. Both Drakenstein Palliative Hospice and Helderberg Hospice remain at 5-Star level. Drakenstein Palliative Hospice achieved its first accreditation in June 2004, marking a significant milestone in their commitment to quality care. In August 2024, they successfully completed their 6th accreditation, achieving an impressive 97%. “Ongoing training, audits, and adherence to procedures throughout the year form the foundation of our efforts” says Elizabeth Scrimgeour CEO of Drakenstein Palliative Hospice.  “While we rely on a dedicated champion to lead the accreditation process, the collective buy-in from our staff has been instrumental in our success.” This is also Helderberg Hospice’s 6th accreditation, with their first accreditation achieved in May 2006. “In addition to focusing on clinical compliance, the accreditation process assesses criteria across the entire organisation, including areas relating to governance, fundraising, administration, and human resources,” says Robert de Wet, CEO of Helderberg Hospice. “Subjecting your organisation to an intensive external accreditation process is important as it serves to both affirm the positive aspects of the work we do, and simultaneously makes us aware of areas in which we require more focus. We are very pleased with our 97% score.” “The APCC is the only organisation in South Africa that has developed accredited Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services,” says Warren Oxford-Huggett, Accreditation Manager at the APCC. “Since the release of the national Policy Framework and Strategy for Palliative Care, there has been a mushrooming of Service Providers that are not accredited. Our members are all accredited and constantly working to improve their accreditation statuses with our mentors. We are extremely proud of these two members for their ongoing commitment to absolute excellence.” “The accreditation is both necessary, and of immense value, and I encourage other hospices to take the time to invest in this important process, “ says de Wet. “We will continue to promote our full accreditation status when engaging with donors both locally and abroad and to highlight the importance of our full accreditation status locally with our care partners and patients as a means of promoting our quality of care. “ “Maintaining accreditation is non-negotiable for us—it is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy,” says Scrimgeour. “Although the process of meeting standards and gathering supporting data is time-intensive, a well-structured plan that involves as many staff members as possible helps distribute the workload and fosters engagement. The results are immensely rewarding; the staff are proud of their achievement. As NGOs explore private-public partnerships to ensure sustainability, accreditation strengthens our position by affirming our expertise in palliative care.” ENDS

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) joins the global community in marking World AIDS Day 2025, with a call to keep HIV & AIDS treatment and palliative care at the centre of South Africa’s health agenda. HIV & AIDS has dropped to the fourth leading cause of death nationally, overtaken by non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Yet among adults aged 15 to 44 it remains a leading cause of mortality and continues to represent one of South Africa’s highest burdens of disease within the “quadruple burden” of infectious diseases, non‑communicable diseases, maternal and child health issues, and injuries and violence. According to the latest UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025, 40.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2024, up from 39.9 million in 2023. Wider access to antiretroviral therapy has extended life expectancy, but Lancet Global Health warns that as this population ages, non‑communicable diseases, including cancer, are becoming increasingly significant, with people living with HIV facing a higher risk of infection‑related cancers. This convergence places immense pressure on health systems, which must respond to acute infections, chronic conditions, cancers, and social determinants of health all at once. In this context, HIV & AIDS must remain a priority. Not only for treatment, but for community‑based palliative care that upholds dignity and improves quality of life. Since 2012, the APCC has partnered with the National Department of Health, delivering care within the HIV & AIDS framework, supporting policy development, and contributing to the National Policy Framework and Strategy for Palliative Care (2017). Members continue to train and deploy healthcare personnel across community, district, and hospital settings. “Palliative care is not a final chapter; it’s support that begins at diagnosis and extends through treatment,” says Motlalentoa Motsoane, CEO of the APCC. “Palliative care centres and hospices assist HIV‑positive patients with life‑threatening co‑infections in ways that are dignified and stigma‑free. As HIV & AIDS evolves, so must our response, even as many APCC members face reduced funding.” Across the member network, organisations respond to HIV & AIDS in diverse ways. In KwaZulu‑Natal, the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) has become a cornerstone of holistic HIV response. Its integrated model spans prevention, clinical care, psychosocial support, economic empowerment, GBV-prevention youth work‑readiness training, rooted in evidence‑based education and outreach aligned with South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs. HACT’s long‑standing support for orphaned children and grandmothers – often the backbone of caregiving – together with investment in local crafters and young people, reaches over 10,000 people each year, helping restore dignity, stability, and resilience in communities heavily burdened by HIV. “World AIDS Day 2025 marks HACT’s 35th anniversary,” says Candace Moolman, CEO of HACT. “This milestone reminds us that community‑care must remain at the heart of an effective HIV & AIDS response. Whether through palliative services, counselling, family strengthening, or youth empowerment, we see every day how holistic support enables people not only to survive but to live with dignity and agency. As community needs evolve, so must our commitment to walk alongside them with compassion, innovation, and hope.” As World AIDS Day 2025 is observed under the theme Overcoming disruption. Transforming the AIDS response, the APCC calls for sustained investment in community‑based palliative services. HIV & AIDS remains a pressing challenge within South Africa’s broader health landscape, requiring long‑term commitment and attention. “The APCC stands firmly alongside our members to strengthen care systems that meet people where they are. In rural villages, townships, urban centres, and hospital wards,” says Motsoane. “This World AIDS Day is a reminder that HIV & AIDS must stay at the forefront of our collective health response. It is also a time to honour those who have lost their lives to AIDS and to remember the families and friends who continue to experience that loss.” ENDS

In South Africa, The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is the member organisation for three palliative care centres in Mpumulanga and 91 nationally, many of which call themselves hospices.

In South Africa, The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is the member organisation for 20 palliative care centres in Gauteng and 91 nationally, many of which call themselves hospices.

In South Africa, The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is the member organisation for 3 palliative care centres in the Free State and 91 nationally, many of which call themselves hospices.

The APCC is the only organisation in South Africa that has developed accredited Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services which are services that not only support the thousands of patients cared for nationwide, but their loved ones too.

Relaunched in February 2023 in the Winelands, this popular event is back in the Cape Town seaboard this year and taking place during the 10’s event on Saturday, 3rd February.

World Hospice Palliative Care Day takes place on 14 October 2023. The former Hospice Palliative Care Association, now the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is using the day to raise funds for fuel for their members, many of whom refer to themselves as hospices.

As of the 1st of September 2023, the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) will now be known as the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC).

Hospice Week takes place this year from 7 – 13 May 2023. Every year, this week focuses on highlighting the role that hospices play in the medical and healthcare landscape. This year, it takes place post the Palliative Care Conference (held late April) that brought together the diverse disciplines that make up palliative care services and highlighted the holistic nature of this very special and essential service.

The Palliative Care Conference taking place from 26 – 29 April at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town is a collaborative venture between three leading palliative care organisations in the country – the Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC), Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) and Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA). Its theme ‘Palliative Care Is Everyone’s Business’ raises awareness of the need for palliative care to be considered essential care and a basic human right for all persons diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness and that palliative care encompasses far more than care given at the end of life.

“This rebranding is not just a visual change,” says Ewa Skowronska, CEO of the APCC. “It is an important message to all medical professionals and the public that our members (many of whom still refer to themselves as hospices) offer quality, specialised and expert palliative care services. Too many people equate hospice with end-of-life only and many medical professionals refer very late.

The Palliative Care Conference taking place from 26 – 29 April at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town is a collaborative venture between three leading palliative care organisations in the country – the Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC), Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA) and the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA).

Lace Up for Cancer is back – and with it, your opportunity to get involved and make a difference! After a pause during the pandemic, the NGO Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) in collaboration with the Cancer Alliance and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), are delighted to announce our leading sponsor, Life Healthcare, whose support is making the revival of this popular event possible.

Lace up for Cancer is back – and with it, your opportunity to get involved and make a difference! After a lull during the pandemic, the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) in collaboration with the Cancer Alliance and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), are thrilled to announced the revival of this popular event.

Held annually on 1 December, ‘World AIDS Day’ is a global day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection and remembering those who have died from this disease. Palliative care plays a critical role in the treatment of HIV/ AIDS sufferers. “Palliative care is focused on improving the quality of life for all patients diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-changing illness,” says Dr Ewa Skowronska, CEO of the HPCA

Saturday, 8 October is World Hospice Palliative Care Day 2022 (WHPCD2022). An annual awareness day, this year is particularly poignant in light of the pandemic filled years that we’ve all endured as well as the socio-economic and political volatility that the globe is experiencing. This has led to levels of unprecedented global grief and the World Hospice Palliative Care Association has announced that their theme for 2022 will be healing hearts and communities.

Hospice Week takes place this year from 1 – 7 May 2022. Every year, this week focuses on highlighting the role that hospices play in the medical and healthcare landscape. In 2022, this conversation is more important than ever before as the Covid-19 pandemic not only highlighted the topic of death, but also highlighted that palliative care is an oft-misunderstood service – that it is considered to be “end-of-life” care, and not the holistic service that it actually is for anyone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness

“You only die once, but you live every day,” – an expression many of us have heard and one that may particularly resonate after the last two years. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many of us to re-evaluate our lives – to take stock of our priorities and to decide whether our life design, as it is, works for us. For many, this has led to life altering decisions and changes and, for many, it has led to embracing life within a ‘new normal’, complete with a new ‘bucket list’.

This 4th February is World Cancer Day. According to data collated from members of the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) at the end of 2021; no fewer than 5,120 people were assisted post-cancer diagnoses, with 4,293 receiving care across 52 hospices. Says Ewa Skowronska, CEO of the HPCA: “Despite the importance of palliative care being available to any individual diagnosed with a

World AIDS Day on 1 December shines a spotlight on a virus that has been a subject of scientific research and debate since the virus was identified in the 1980s. According to Statistics South Africa: “The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 13,7% among the South African population. The total number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is estimated at approximately 8,2 million in 2021. For adults aged 15–49 years, an estimated 19,5% of the population is HIV positive.”

9 October is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, a day that this sector is spotlighted across the globe. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the reality of a life-threatening diagnosis into everyone’s homes; and yet, 14 members of the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) had to close their doors in 2020 and 2021 due to lack of funding.

On Saturday, 4th September, champions and supporters will walk to raise funds for the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA). Using the Spar Virtual Women’s Challenge as its platform, this Backabuddy fundraising drive aims to raise a minimum of R50,000-00 to help keep hospice doors open.

Launching on 13 July 2021, The Grief Handbook by Bridget McNulty, will be available to South Africans on Takealot.

The closure of Charlotte Maxeke Hospital since April is creating a health crisis in Gauteng. As reported by Mandy Wiener on News24, “two other hospitals have been hit by water shortages…the provincial health system is at breaking point and it cannot go on.”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, palliative care is now more in the mainstream eye than ever before. Dedicated to the holistic treatment of life-threatening diagnoses, as well as to the care of end-of-life patients, those in the palliative care sector are experts in promoting quality of living and dignity in death – a topic that has become increasingly relevant since March 2021.

The Palliative Care community mourns the recent passing of Dr. Sarah Fakoodreen, a medical doctor, esteemed colleague and champion of palliative care in South Africa. Dr. Sarah, as she was fondly known, passed away suddenly on 14th March 2021 at the age of 72.

The Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) recently launched three updated palliative care courses for a diversity of healthcare providers within the healthcare and medical sector. The courses aim to provide an overview of palliative care as well as orientate and introduce health care providers to palliative care principles and processes. The courses are available in both online and face-to-face formats (in alignment with pandemic restrictions).

A webinar, focused on highlighting the imperative for a concerted and collaborative effort to accelerate access to palliative care during Covid-19 and beyond, took place on Sunday, 24 January 2021. The Department of Health has meanwhile invited the organisers – the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Palliative Care Action Group (PCAG) - to meet with it to discuss the matter.

A webinar, focused on highlighting the imperative for a concerted and collaborative effort to accelerate access to palliative care during Covid-19 and beyond, took place on Sunday, 24 January 2021.

Thursday 4th February is World Cancer Day. Amidst the current challenging circumstances, hospices around South Africa continue to care for thousands of cancer patients. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, cancer has taken somewhat of a back seat to the virus which continues to dominate the local and global media landscape, but cancer still remains one of the biggest killers in our nation.

13 October 2020: Desteny Adams, a single mother of four, of which two are adopted, was promoted in October to the position of Manager of the newly opened In-Patient Unit (IPU) at Centurion Hospice in Pretoria. Adams is originally from Yzerfontein in the Western Cape and has found a new life and family in Pretoria.

Hundreds of hospice events are taking place across the globe for 10 October- World Hospice & Palliative Care Day - to highlight the role that palliative care plays in healthcare as well as the role that it is playing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hospices are currently playing a valuable and unseen role in the Covid-19 crisis. According to Tersia Burger, CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services in Alberton: “Palliative care is available to anyone who is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and we are increasingly recognising that Covid-19 infections fit within that category.”