1 in 60 Need us: A History of Hospice in Zimbabwe

Island Hospice & Healthcare, formally, Island Hospice and Bereavement Service, at one time had 11 satellite branches throughout the country. The sites fell under one national private voluntary organization and were managed by local committees per branch.  Following the socio economic and political difficulties in Zimbabwe from 2000 most branches closed down with the exception of Marondera, Harare and Mutare. Prior to this Bulawayo registered as its own entity. Over the last two years the national board and executive director has worked hard to ensure that all branches are managed under the national umbrella Island Hospice & Healthcare. This first happened in Marondera, then Mutare and of late Bulawayo came back into the fold by rejoining Island Hospice & Healthcare. Committees have been dissolved and a national board with members that represent the country has been established.

Each branch is being managed by a national coordinator with success. Becoming truly national has been successful and critically it has benefited patients and patients. With a recent morphine shortage crises to hit Zimbabwe the organization was able to respond nationally such that patients from all areas where we are located were able to access medications and not just those in Harare. Standards of care have also been streamlined and referrals between branches are taking place.

We turn 40 in 2019 and we are planning now how we should mark this throughout the year. National meetings via teleconference with each branch have been held to discuss how we can celebrate the founder Maureen Butterfield and Island's many successes over the pat 40 years. The national board of directors have endorsed the suggestions which includes media briefs, that each event has a 40 theme and funding permitting a short documentary of sorts. We hope to raise sufficient funds to do this through GlobalGiving and other platforms.

We thank you for your continued of our work and look forward to celebrating 40 with you.