Wits Centre for Palliative Care celebrates 25 years and 10 years of service to the world’s palliativ
- FHS Communications
The Gauteng/Wits Centre for Palliative Care, based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for 25 years, recently honoured the Centre’s service since signing the World Hospice and Palliative Care Association’s (WHPA’s) Resolution 67.19. This resolution aims to drastically improve palliative care, an often-neglected medical field that has been at the core of the Centre’s commitment.
Each year, WHPA celebrates palliative care in October. The 2024 theme commemorated Resolution 67.19 under the title: “10 years since the resolution: how are we doing?”
“In this moment, we were able to reflect and acknowledge how our Centre has strengthened and advocated for palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout life,” said the Director of the Centre, Dr Mpho Ratshikana-Moloko.
Palliative care is a treatment approach that enhances the quality of life for patients and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. It focuses on preventing and alleviating suffering through early identification, thorough assessment, and effective treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial, and spiritual issues through interdisciplinary teams (doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains).
Image: Dr Mpho Ratshikana-Moloko (Director of Wits Centre for Palliative Care) with Dr Merika Tsitsi (HOD Internal Medicine: Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Chair of the Palliative Care Advisory Board)
As part of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Gauteng/Wits Centre for Palliative Care trains undergraduate and postgraduate students in palliative care. It also runs short courses and mentorships for health professionals and chaplains. The centre benchmarks palliative care services in South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and the Acting CEO of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Dr Nomonde Mqhayi-Mbambo and Professor Daynia Ballot, the Wits Head of the School of Clinical Medicine acknowledged the centre's work.
Image: MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko addressing attendees at the Wits Centre for Palliative Care celebration event at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Image: Professor Daynia Ballot making remarks on behalf of the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences.
The WHA Resolution mandated countries to strengthen palliative care for patients and families with serious illnesses. “There were nine deliverables, and the Palliative Care Centre has been able to deliver the following: participated in the committee in developing the National Palliative Care Policy, sourced funding and seconded the Deputy Director to assist National DOH with the implementation of the policy,” says Ratshikana-Moloko.
In addition to this, the Centre has already been providing holistic specialised care at Chris Hani Bara for over 20 years, where it has partnered with stakeholders to support patients and families in the community. “We collaborate with other institutions to expand on the palliative care agenda. As part of the university, we train across all levels and conduct research,” she adds.