PCEA KIKUYU HOSPITAL

Background

Palliative care program was started in PCEA Kikuyu Hospital in 2009 to bridge the gap that existed especially in the quality of life for chronically ill patients e.g. Cancer, Chronic organ failure, geriatric conditions, paralysis, stroke, Down syndrome, sickle cell, and others.

Palliative care:

• Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.

• Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process.

• Intends neither to hasten nor postpone death.

• Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care.

• Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death.

• Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement.

• Uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counseling, if indicated.

• Enhances the quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness.

• Is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

We get our patients from the four units of the Hospital that is, General, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Eye and Dental as well as direct referrals from other hospitals. In addition, we receive self-referrals by patients and relatives.

We have a psychosocial support group for the cancer survivors that meet every third Friday of the month. We also have a support group for Diabetic patients. To create mass awareness and sensitize the public, we normally have screening for Breast, Cervical and Prostrate cancer during the month of October every year.