Tea break reading: African palliative care in the news

21^st June – 27^th June 2014

News and views:

Editor’s pick:

Global: Blood test could give early warning of breast cancer – Scientists identify molecular ‘switch’ whose presence in blood can predict likelihood of non-inherited disease. The Guardian, Irish Times, ITV News and NBC News.
West Africa: Ebola in West Africa: Epidemic requires massive deployment of resources – With Ebola continuing to spread in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, bringing the epidemic under control will require a massive deployment of resources by governments in West Africa and aid organisations, according to the international medical organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF). MSF. (Read more on the story on the BBC).
South Africa: Thousands of prisoners may have undiagnosed TB – Thousands of prisoners across South Africa may have tuberculosis (TB) and have no idea, if recent studies are any indication. Now, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services (DJCS) promises an action plan to control the TB epidemic raging behind bars. Health-e News.

Elsewhere in the news:

Global: New ICPCN advocacy project needs your help – The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) is calling on all children, parents, siblings, family members and professionals who have an interesting narrative about the value of children’s palliative care. Here is a chance to share your stories. ehospice.
Global: Can technology help defuse the dementia time bomb? – With over 1.3 million haing dementia in sub-Saharan Africa can technology help defuse the dementia time bomb? BBC.
Nigeria: Nigerian research commended at EAPC 2014 – An interview with Dr Andrew Olagunju who was awarded a special commendation in the Early Researcher Award category for his work in palliative care research in his home country. Africa edition of ehospice.
Gambia: Health workers sensitised on palliative care – Members of the Gambia Palliative Care Association, with funding from the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) held a daylong sensitisation of its members at the NaNA office in Bakau. The Daily Observer and All Africa.
Zimbabwe: Over 100,000 Zimbabwean children unable to access lifesaving ARVs – Over 100,000 HIV+ children in Zimbabwe are failing to access anti-retroviral treatment due to inadequate laboratory capacity and a shortage of skilled manpower. Africa edition of ehospice and Bulawayo 24.
Uganda: Government adopts new guidelines on ARVs – Negative HIV partners in discordant relationships will be enrolled on antiretroviral treatment after the government adopted World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines this year. The Daily Monitor.
Uganda: A visit to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda – APCA’s communications officer, accompanied a palliative care consultant to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. He offers a personal reflection on this visit. ehospice and Hynd’s Blog.
South Africa: Highlights: Celebrating Hospice Week 2014 – A look at some of the activities which took place from the 4-11 May 2014 in celebration of hospice week. South Africa edition of ehospice.

Research:

Global: Palliative care at time of cancer diagnosis improves survival – The risk of death at 1 year was significantly lower in the immediate palliative care group versus the delayed palliative care group (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003). The Oncology Report.
Uganda: They are not always a burden: Older people and child fostering in Uganda during the HIV epidemic. US National Library of Medicine.
Nigeria: Perceptions of burden of caregiving by informal caregivers of cancer patients attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria – Caregiving role can be enhanced by provision of interventions such as formal education programme on cancer caregiving, oncology, home services along side with transmural care. Pan African Medical Journal.

Jobs, awards and events:

Global: 2nd Paediatric Palliative Care Congress in Rome – An announcement has been made that both the Abstract and Early Bird Registration deadlines have been extended for the 2nd Paediatric Palliative Care Congress to take place from 19 – 21 November 2014 in Rome. Both these deadlines have been extended to 15 July 2014. ehospice.
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.
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.