IMAGINE a world where the strongest pain killer is just paracetamol!
When Hospice Africa started in Kampala, Uganda, in November 1993 this was the reality. Our Founder, Dr Anne Merriman, discovered eight year old Bashil in a hospital bed in Kampala. He had just had his arm and shoulder amputated in an attempt to treat his cancer. Bashil was in terrible pain but the only pain-killer available was paracetamol! Using oral morphine, which only she was able to provide, Dr Anne was able to control his pain. She discovered that Bashil lived with his Granny and that he wanted to go home with her so just before Christmas 1993 they drove Bashil and and his Granny to their house in a village outside Kampala, where he lived for his last few weeks. The picture shows him at home, free from pain and happy. Bashil was one of the first people in Uganda to receive palliative care.
TWENTY YEARS ON......
Hospice Africa is now 20 years old. Since 1993 thousands of sufferers and their families have received help and support. Working with our partners, Hospice Africa has helped to introduce and then support palliative care in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Starting in Uganda, Hospice Africa has spread support to Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
In memoriam
Very sadly, we have to report the death of Celia Stephenson. Celia was one of the founding members of Hospice Africa and was a trustee and faithful supporter for nearly 20 years. In later years, despite recurring illness, Celia still worked actively for Hospice Africa, regularly visiting Uganda. She retired as a trustee at the 2012 AGM. She will be greatly missed both as a colleague and friend.