Healthcare
Inadequate provision of health care and particularly, palliative care obtaining in the country prompted HST to contribute in a modest way to the community in Makeni’s farming area through establishing a hospice. However, with the financial resources at the disposal of HST it was not possible to go ahead. The sayings “where there is a will, there is a way” and “God helps those who help others” proved to be perfectly true with HST in its wish to provide palliative care to the needy- HIV/ AIDS infected and patients suffering from cancer and tuberculosis.
Late Bharatbhai Premji Patel, the Project Director of HST at that time happened to visit Dr Kiran C. Patel in the USA. He enlightened Dr Patel about the activities of HST and its desire to serve the poor patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer etc. Dr. Patel was born and brought up in Zambia, currently settled in USA, and by being financially stable to assist his mother land; he became ready to assist HST by providing US$300,000 for constructing the hospice. After HST hospice had its building in place, late Mr Patel again approached few non-governmental organizations such as CRS (Catholic Relief Services) and ZNAN (Zambia National Aids Network) for their support to equip and fund the running costs of the hospice. Seeing the infrastructure and HST’s ability and track- record, they agreed to support by way of funding for equipment and parts of their running costs of the hospice. Subsequently, assistance from Diana Fund of U.K. and World Vision has also been coming.
HST Hospice was inaugurated by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Brian Chituwo in July, 2007. It has 24 bed facilities and fully equipped with necessary amenities.
Objectives:
To provide holistic palliative in-patient care and assistance to HIV/AIDS, TB and cancer patients, who lack resources for proper recovery at home
To provide general health services and VCT to patients and families within a radius of 20 km of the hospice
To enhance the ability of community home-based care programs to provide quality care and awareness
To educate the community at large about the importance of HIV prevention, testing, treatment and acceptance
In- Patient Care:
The HST C. A. Patel Care Centre has 24 bed facilities for adult and pediatric patients. The staff includes an administrator, co-coordinator, accountant, medical doctor (part- time), clinical officer, nurses and other ancillary and paramedical staff, often called caregivers. Patients are admitted to the hospice by the doctor/ nurses. The physician visits and supervises patients on a regular basis, while medical treatment is administered to ensure improvement in their condition and final discharge into the community. A family member is also encouraged to stay and support the patient. The hospice makes it a priority to take care of both the patient and the family member by providing them with nutritious, high-protein meals, boarding and education regarding the patients’ illness. Transportation between clinics, the hospice and patients’ homes is also provided.
Out- Patients Clinic:
HST hospice also provides out- patient basic medical care, HIV/ AIDS education and VCT to members of the surrounding community. Medications are administered free of charge and patients are referred to appropriate clinics for further care, treatment and hospitalization, if necessary.
Outreach Programs:
HST hospice has 50 caregivers, who provide home-based care in the surrounding community. These caregivers take care of not only HST patients in their homes, but also to educate them and their surrounding community about HIV, prevention and treatment. HST covers five surrounding communities, which include Kalundu Zone, China- Zambia, Green Belt, Mwinga Zone and Ngalasa Zone.
Community- home-based care includes ensuring that the patients are taking their medication, eating nutritious meals in their homes and giving psycho- social-spiritual support to the patients’ and their families. HST hospice considers it a high priority to offer community-home-based care as both the caregivers and patients benefit from the program. The patient can also better recuperate in their own familiar environment where they feel safe and comfortable.
In addition, the HST hospice staff travels each week to one of the five zones for a general medical examination and VCT. Members of that community are encouraged to discuss their health problems with the attending the medical officer or caregiver and get tested for HIV and other STDs. The hospice outreach program also provides nutritious food (called HEPS) as well as mealie meal, beans and chlorine to purify water to HST clients in that community.
