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.