Celebrating PCAU’s Legacy and Planning for the Future of Palliative Care in Uganda
This year, the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) celebrates 25 years of compassionate, holistic, and accessible palliative care to patients and families across Uganda. Established in 1999, PCAU has played an essential role in building and expanding hospice and palliative care countrywide. The Silver Jubilee theme, “Celebrating 25 Years of Extending Compassion, Holistic Care, Pain Relief, Hope, and Justice to Individuals and Families in Uganda,” reflects PCAU’s commitment to enhancing quality of life for individuals with serious illness.
In commemoration of this anniversary, PCAU has organized several events throughout 2024, including webinars, charity activities, and a gathering of PCAU Life Members. Celebrations will culminate at a Gala Dinner on December 6, 2024. These events celebrate PCAU’s achievements, strengthen partnerships, build public awareness, and mobilize resources. Proceeds from the Gala Dinner will support the expansion of specialist palliative care services in 39 underserved districts, where many communities currently lack access to palliative care.
A recent PCAU-hosted webinar highlighted the increasing importance of integrating palliative care at all levels of healthcare. Leaders from key healthcare institutions shared insights on embedding palliative care in patient-centered care. Dr. Henry Ddungu of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) underscored the importance of palliative care, saying, “Palliative care improves quality of life and human dignity.” He noted the World Health Assembly’s call for palliative care training at all levels, stressing, “Governments should adopt policies that integrate palliative care into health laws, ensuring equitable access to pain relief and holistic support for patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses.” Dr. Ddungu also highlighted UCI’s interdisciplinary approach and collaboration with organizations like PCAU and Hospice Africa Uganda, a testament to Uganda’s commitment to provide support for patients in need.
Dr. Rosemary K. Byanyima, Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, affirmed the hospital’s commitment to palliative care, emphasizing that “palliative care is an essential component of comprehensive hospital-based care.” She discussed Mulago National Referral Hospital’s efforts to address patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, affirming palliative care as a “fundamental human right” and highlighting the hospital’s dedication to patient dignity and comfort. PCAU Executive Director, Mark Mwesiga, expressed gratitude for this commitment, encouraging closer collaboration between Mulago Hospital’s specialists and PCAU’s network to ensure continuity of care as patients transition back to their communities.
Dr. Andrew Sekitoleko, CEO of St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, addressed the importance of integrating palliative care for patients facing severe, non-communicable diseases. He emphasized that, “Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life… relieving symptoms, providing comfort, and supporting patients and their families.” Dr. Sekitoleko also noted his hospital’s commitment to holistic care palliative care importance in this.
PCAU’s Silver Jubilee marks both a celebration of past successes and a call to action for the future. This milestone reinforces PCAU’s mission to embed palliative care as a foundational pillar of Uganda’s healthcare system, ensuring that all patients, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can access compassionate and dignified care.