During the year 2003-4, Oadby Trinity supported the Hospice Uganda project, this is an International charity that specifically treats people with AIDS and Cancer.

The Hospice was started in Uganda in the 1990s and is now in three towns, Kampala, Mbarara and Hoima.

The most common type of cancer dealt with there is Kaposi's Sarcamo, (which is HIV related) followed by cancers of the cervix, breast, liver and stomach.

Terminally ill people are in great need, especially in rural areas where many never reach a healthcare worker. In Mbarara the mobile Hospice does work in the community in outreach clinics and by home visits. Hospice Uganda also runs training courses in palliative care and is involved in the training of medical students in Mbarara.

The Medical Director there was Anne Merriman, who was awarded the MBE in 2002 for her work, she has now been succeeded by Dr Ekie Kikule.

Helen and John Moore from Trinity, visited Mbarara this summer, during this trip they learned a great deal more about the valuable work of Hospice Uganda.


Hospice Uganda Links:

Facts about Hospice Uganda
Innovations in End-of-Life Care
Interview with Anne Merriman
Palliative medicine