African Palliative Care Association

Education & training

Launch of a Community Palliative Care Programme in Botswana

Cresta Lodge Hotel
Gaborone, Botswana
June 27th - July 8th 2005
funded by PEPfAR

 

The training of health professionals in palliative care was launched as part of the Community Palliative Care Programme by the Honourable Minister of Health of Botswana, Prof. Sheila Dinotshe Tlou. It was attended by various high profile dignitaries, including the WHO Representative in Botswana; Mr. Andre Wegner, a representative of the African Palliative Care Association Board; a PEPFAR/BOTUSA representative; BONASO, Officials from the Ministry of Health of Botswana; representatives of NGOs; and course participants. A total of 20 nurses working as co-ordinators / managers of the home-based care programmes in their districts were trained.

A mid-term follow-up workshop to the training was conducted in November 2005 and the Government is making progress.

Current needs

  • Funding for a final follow-up workshop.
  • Volunteer expert to lead the palliative care programme and support those trained.
  • Palliative care resources (e.g. books, journals, etc.).
  • Funding for the establishment of a national palliative care association.
  • Funding for those trained to have clinical exposure in established palliative care centres in Africa.
  • Funding for a small team to have specialist palliative care training and return as focal and resource persons in the country for programme sustainability.