Whilst much of the activity of the Hospice is focussed on keeping
HIV+ patients healthy, and able to live full lives, a proportion of
patients will inevitably get chronically ill. The burden of care for
households with chronically ill patients is great in a
resource-limited environment. There are a number of factors that
contribute towards the inability of households to adequately care
for their family members:
-
Many poor people can’t afford the cost of user charges for
health services. The Hospice charges a minimal fee for
consultations and inpatient care, but no one is ever turned away
through lack of money.
-
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is already absorbing a large share of
hospital resources. HIV/AIDS related illnesses account for
about 70% of all hospital admissions.
-
The ability to provide adequate care at home is extremely
limited in many families because of the lack of surviving
family relatives as well as the prevailing poverty that is
being experienced.
Connected
to the Hospice are 300 Adherence Counsellors. These volunteers
visit patients in the surrounding communities to support them in
taking their medication, as well as checking on any side effects
and the general health of the patients.
