Tea break reading: African palliative care in the news

26^th April 2014 – 2^nd May 2014

News and views:

Editor’s pick:

East Africa: ‘Pretty Little Liars’ star Torrey DeVitto talks ‘Road To Hope’ charity event – Actress Torrey DeVitto joined KTLA live to discuss the “Road to Hope” charity event she will host at Bootsy Bellows on Monday, April 14. The charity benefits the Palliative Care Association of Uganda and The Hospice Foundation. Watch KTLA.
South Africa: South Africa’s battle against HIV/AIDS gains momentum – A recent survey by South African researchers emphasises the weaknesses and strengths of the country’s current eﬀ orts to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Lancet.

Uganda: Palliative care services grow – Infrastructure and manpower to facilitate access to palliative care in Uganda has doubled over the past two years. This was revealed yesterday at a media sensitisation workshop organised by the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU). The Daily Monitor.

Elsewhere in the news:

Ghana: Palliative care in Ghana: a focus on patient outcomes – Ghana will be the first African country to use the updated version of the tool to measure patient outcomes- the APCA African iPOS (integrated POS). The Africa edition of ehospice.
Liberia: Journalists trained in HIV/AIDS reporting – A media group under the banner, “Anti-AIDS Media Network,” in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia, National AIDS Commission (NAC) and Liberian Network of People living with HIV has concluded a one-day training for 30 Liberian journalists in effective HIV and AIDS reporting. The News.
Mozambique: First Lady to launch “End Cervical Cancer” campaign – Mozambique’s first lady, Maria da Luz Guebuza, arrived in Seoul on Monday night, where she is due to take part in the launch of the “End Cervical Cancer Now” campaign. All Africa.
Uganda: Deadly catch: Uganda’s fishermen seeking sex workers prompt HIV surge – When you risk your life fishing in crocodile-infested waters, a stiff drink on dry land may seem like a welcome relief. But in a sleepy town inUganda it has given rise to a culture with staggering rates of HIV. The Guardian.
Uganda: Nansubuga teaches modules in forgiveness, true love – Life is a story. So, we tell it. It is a song, we sing it. It is a poem, we recite it. The life of Fred and Harriet Mugerwa, a couple residing in Kakiri, is that of endless possibilities. It stretches from the glee of youthful love to devilish gutters of infidelity and life-long sickness, but ends in boundless love. The Observer.
Uganda: HIV Scorecard Shows Big Strides – More Ugandans are accessing HIV/Aids treatment now compared to previous years, a new study by Uganda Network of Aids Services Organisations (Unaso) has revealed. The Observer.
Uganda: Cabinet approves the Uganda Cancer Institute Bill 2014 – As part of the efforts to establish Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Mulago as a National centre of excellence of international standard offering comprehensive cancer services, Cabinet recently approved the principles of the Uganda Cancer Institute Bill 2014. The Red Pepper.
Kenya: Nurses leaving Kenya for jobs abroad drop by 37 % – The number of nurses migrating overseas for better opportunities has reduced by 37.4 per cent compared to the past nine years, a new audit on Kenya Nursing Workforce documents. The Star.
South Africa: HPCA Conference 2014 – abstract submission deadline extended – The deadline for abstract submissions for the Hospice Palliative Care Association conference has now been extended to the 7 May 2014. South Africa edition of ehospice.

Jobs, awards and events:

Global: #HPMGlobal twitter chat. Join Jim Cleary on twitter at 3pm (East Africa Time) every Monday to discuss the latest global palliative care issues. Twitter
Global: 20th International AIDS Conference – The conference will be held from 20-25 July 2014 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Melbourne, Australia and will represent a tremendous opportunity to highlight the diverse nature of the Asia Pacific region’s HIV epidemic and the unique responses to it. International AIDS Society.
Global: World Congress of Psycho-Oncology – The congress, which will be based around the theme of ‘Integrating phsycho-oncology into mainstream cancer care; from research into action’, will bring together experts from around the world to discuss new perspectives in clinical care, new data from research, innovative educational programs, advocacy, organisational issues and cancer policies. It is to beheld in Lisbon, Portugal from 20 to 24 of October 2014. International edition of ehospice.
Global: African health forum – Astrategic meeting between african and international decision makers. Geneva 16-17^th May 2014. AHF.
Africa: Find all the latest jobs in palliative care and related fields – Visit ehospice’s job site to see the latest jobs in palliative care. African edition of ehospice.
South Africa: HPCA 2014 Conference – Who Cares? Improving patient outcomes – The conference will be held between the 15^th and 18^th September 2014 at the Lagood Beach Hotel in Cape Town. More details on the HPCA Conference Website.
Kenya: The 4th Kenya National Palliative Care Conference 2014 – Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA) is delighted to announce the 4th National Palliative Care Conference scheduled to take place from 12th to 14th November 2014 at Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi. KEHPCA.
Nigeria: 54th Society of Physiotherapy Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting – the sub-theme for this year’s conference is ‘The Role of Physiotherapy in Palliative Care for Terminally ill Patients’. It will take place in Asaba, Delta State between the 20^th and 25^th October 2014. NSP.