Bringing palliative care closer to communities

Bringing palliative care closer to communities By Hospice Africa Uganda                                                                        

Community Outreach Strengthens Access to Palliative Care in Kasokoso

 (Reaching the hard-to-reach communities )

Hospice Africa Uganda continues to extend compassionate palliative care services to underserved communities through its regular outreach programme conducted in Kasokoso Informal Urban Settlement in Kampala, Uganda. The outreach, which takes place every last Wednesday of the month, ensures continuity of care, early identification of patients in need, and consistent follow-up to improve patient outcomes.

The outreach team, led by Nurse M J, was joined by a group of Francophone palliative care students on clinical placement, who actively participated in patient assessment, follow-up, and supportive care interventions. During this visit, the team reviewed a total of 12 patients through both roadside clinic consultations and home-based care.

At the roadside clinic held at SDA Health Center 3, several patients were assessed, reviewed, and provided with necessary medical guidance and symptom management. The roadside clinic serves as a convenient access point for patients who are able to travel short distances within the community, allowing them to receive care without needing to visit a distant health facility.

In addition to the clinic-based consultations, the team conducted home visits for patients who were unable to attend due to the severity of their conditions, mobility limitations, and general frailty. These home visits ensured that even the most vulnerable patients continued to receive clinical review, pain management, and psychosocial support within the comfort of their homes.

Among the patients followed up during the outreach was Mr. A M, a retired engineer formerly working with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. Mr. A M has been managing hypertension and diabetes since 2023 and suffered a stroke in 2024, resulting in left-sided paralysis and swelling. With continued palliative care and follow-up, his swelling has now completely resolved, and he has shown gradual improvement in mobility through physiotherapy and guided exercises. He previously attended physiotherapy sessions at Kasangati Physiotherapy Hospital and Kibuli Hospital and had undergone Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy as recommended by Dr. E, one of the Francophone students. He now continues to perform exercises with and without support and reports experiencing sharp, pin-like sensations while walking, indicating progressive nerve recovery. His next clinical review is scheduled for 11 March 2026.

The team also followed up with Mr. M C, who experienced a stroke in 2023 and continues to struggle with neuropathic pain, which he describes as a persistent cold sensation affecting his left side and leg, along with numbness in his foot and knee. During the outreach, Dr. P, another Francophone student, provided therapeutic massage to help relieve his discomfort. With continued support and regular follow-up, Mr. M C has reported gradual improvement and increased comfort in his daily activities.

Both patients expressed deep appreciation for the care received, noting that the outreach programme has made it easier for them to access consistent medical support and pain management without the burden of travelling long distances.

This monthly outreach initiative demonstrates Hospice Africa Uganda’s commitment to bringing palliative care closer to communities, especially within informal settlements where access to specialised care is often limited. By combining roadside clinics with home-based care, and by involving students in hands-on learning, the programme not only improves patient quality of life but also contributes to building future capacity in palliative care service delivery.

• Hospice staff during the outreach in Kasokoso slum (DOCX)