ZimSculpt.Com actively supports the Zimbabwean Charity “Island Hospice & Healthcare”. Five percent of all our internet sales go to this extremely worthwhile charity.
Island was founded in 1979 as Africa’s first Hospice. It pioneered the development of expert palliative care services, including bereavement services for families of deceased hospice patients and for the general community suffering loss due to any cause, including trauma and political violence.
Island, from its beginning until the present, has played a major role in scaling up palliative care in Zimbabwe and regionally. At one time it had 11 satellite sites within Zimbabwe, thousands of health professionals and home-based caregivers trained among public and private providers, and a successful record of training and mentoring developing palliative care programs in Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa. In addition, it has hosted international palliative care providers from Australia, North America, Europe, and numerous African countries.
Island has developed palliative care services with collaborating agencies to address the needs of special populations, including children, women survivors of gender-based violence, the disabled, prisoners, traditional leaders, gays and lesbians, displaced persons, and others. Island has been active with the African Palliative Care Association in developing standards, beta testing the African Palliative Outcome Scale (POS), conducting research projects, and preparing international publications and reference materials. Island has also been active in the area of advocacy and policy development with the Government of Zimbabwe, working closely with HOSPAZ and other groups to advance a national policy on palliative care, as well as national standards. This rich history clearly solidified Island as a Palliative Care Centre of Excellence.
Mission statement for Island
Island is a centre of excellence that provides palliative care and support, and a comprehensive therapeutic service for the bereaved, through;
- capacity building,
- networking,
- community partnering and
- direct service for those in need
Objectives
- To provide direct palliative and health care services to patients and family members through clinics, home or office visits and telephone sessions.
- To provide psychosocial support to patients, clients and their family members through counseling sessions
- To provide a comprehensive bereavement service to those suffering loss from any cause whether illness or sudden and unexpected.
- To strengthen the health system by building the Palliative Care capacity of health professionals, community organizations and groups through training, mentorship and supervision.
- To provide evidence on Palliative care best practices and models through data management, research, advocacy and dissemination of lessons learnt through information sharing.
Impact
With a population of 12,9 million, over 200 000 people in Zimbabwe require palliative care. This as per WHO (World Health Organization), statistics that indicate 1 in 60 Zimbabweans are in need of Palliative Care. HIV prevalence is pegged at 14.3% A rise in non-communicable diseases, and advancing chronic diseases, notably cancer, means that in the near future these will overtake HIV/AIDS as the leading cause of death in Zimbabwe.
The common reality in Zimbabwe relating to the diagnosis of a chronic illness , is profound economic family crisis, where in most instances a family’s hard earned income or lack thereof results in limited resources being exhausted when seeking treatment. If treatment can be found, the next hurdle to overcome is the socio economic situation in the country which has resulted in social sectors, including health, all but collapsing. Reduced health funding has resulted in the loss of experienced managers and professionals at all levels of the health system.
For 35 years, Island has been in the business of championing life for the living. Its approach to end of life care has always acknowledged the need of providing both medical palliative care and also psychosocial support and counselling for loved ones of those receiving healthcare. Quality of life is preserved for the spectrum of a person’s life experience through their human connections. Through its staff, supporters, programs, research, advocacy and resources, this organization continues to touch the lives of individuals, families, and communities spanning every vulnerable group in society.
Services
Hospice Care
This includes management of pain and other symptoms to improve quality of life as well psycho-social support for the sick, the bereaved and those who care for loved ones. Working with primary and community caregivers is a key component to providing ongoing support and mentorship. Patients are reached through the following models;
- Community Home Care( including telephone, home and office visits)
- Rural Outreach, Community Clinics
- Hospital inpatient & Clinic visits
- Children’s Palliative Care Clinics
Care for the bereaved
This service is offered to anyone who has suffered a loss from the death of a loved one either through illness, sudden or tragic death.
- To offer emotional support for those bereaved including:
- Bereaved parents
- Guardians: including the elderly
- Widows/ Widowers
- children
- This can be through individual counselling or as group sessions.
- Group bereavement debriefing sessions are also provided for companies, schools and various organizations in the event of death or a tragedy at the work place or school
Children
We work with children’s homes; community based organizations, children’s organizations, teachers, church and volunteers groups etc to provide:
- Paediatric Palliative carefor children who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and any other life threatening illnesses including cancer etc. This can be done in the child’s home, hospital or community paediatric clinics.
- Psychosocial supportto young children (young carers and vulnerable children) who by virtue of circumstances beyond their control find themselves looking after sick parents or relatives or loved ones but do not have the relevant practical, nor emotional coping skills to look after someone who is ill.
- Group grief sessions for children and orphans & vulnerable children.
- Group bereavement debriefing sessions are also provided for schools in the event of death or a tragedy.
- Paediatric Bereavement counselling.For children who have suffered a loss from the death of a loved one either through illness, sudden or tragic death. This can be done:
- individually
- in the family
Services for Corporates or Groups:
- Counselling services including
- Bereavement counselling
- Stress and trauma counselling
- Training and mentorship in palliative and/or health care
- Debrief sessions
- debriefing sessions are offered to companies and organizations working in stressful environments to prevent burn out and help their staff deal with stressful situations (including loss).
- Workplace health awareness programmes and talks
- Cancer awareness, prevention and early detection programmes.
- Health systems strengthening for interested organizations
- Counselling services
- Bereavement counselling
- Stress and trauma counselling
- Training and mentorship in palliative and/or health care
- Debrief sessions
- Workplace health awareness programmes and talks
- Cancer awareness, prevention and early detection programmes.
- Health systems strengthening for interested organizations
Training
Island has developed a robust network of expert medical professionals in the field of palliative care. Doctors, pharmacists, social workers and nurses deliver a comprehensive palliative care service that include psychosocial support and bereavement counseling as well as symptom and pain management. The core members of this team have been at Island for over 20 years. In the little known area of palliative care which requires experiential knowledge to deliver a quality standard of care, the Island Medical Team constitutes some of the most experienced palliative care team on offer in the country.
The team has a successful record of training and mentoring developing palliative care programs in Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa. In addition, it has hosted international palliative care providers from Australia, North America, Europe, and numerous African countries.
Training courses available at Island include the following topics but are not limited to; Introduction to and principles of palliative care: A total Approach to Pain Management, Death and Bereavement Awareness, Symptom Management, Communication Skills, End of Life Care, The Dying Process and Care for the Carer. Principles of Palliative Care; General Hygiene, the role of the caregiver in Palliative care, stigma and discrimination, HIV & AIDS, Cancer, High Blood Pressure and Malaria, Nutrition and Positive Living, Burnout and Self care, Societal issues and working with families. Contact us at this email address [email protected].
The ‘Team’
At the core and rippling out through the tapestry of the Island heritage, have been the faces, hands, hearts, minds and care of people. Island health professionals are highly experienced and trained palliative care professionals encompassing doctors, nurses, clinical social workers, and counsellors. Daily they come together under a common goal; ensuring that those facing the end of life, continue to live their lives with as much quality as possible , and those facing bereavement are supported through this extremely challenging process. In 2014, Island commemorated their 35th anniversary by gathering the following anecdotes.
Thando Ndlela
Palliative Care Nurse, 22 years with Island.
Team work has always existed at Island and that has been the driving force. My most memorable experience; trying to deal with a suicidal patient who wanted to blow herself up using an oxygen tank. She was a smoker.
For the last 22 years I have enjoyed the teamwork which has been a constant at Island. Preventing a client from choosing a violent suicide was a landmark experience in my time here.
Mildred Bosha
Social Worker, 4 years with Island.
Island gives me opportunities to release my potential (professional) and I also appreciate the team support. My most memorable experience at Island Hospice; The brightening up and smiles on bereaved children’s faces following a psychosocial support workshop.
. When I see children in bereavement support groups brighten up and smile again, I am reminded again why I love what I do.
Charity Kawadza
Palliative Care Nurse, 20 years with Island.
I have loved working at Island because it has given me a satisfying sense of “being at home”. My most memorable experience; getting a patient pain free even though the patient died, I was able to bring a smile towards the end of her life.
Frances Tsikai
Project Manager for Big Lotto, 23 years with Island.
I love working with patients and families as I am passionate about caring for patients. My most memorable experience; When Island celebrated 25th and 30th anniversaries. There was great community involvement.
Chipo Nenzou
Clinical teams assistant, 6 years with Island.
The environment and the staff I work with are like family. My most memorable experiences: The Christmas parties and the impact the staff have on the patients.
Ann Jackson
Receptionist (Volunteer), 35 years with Island.
My brother died of cancer at the age of 34 in 1979 and I attended a lecture about starting the “Hospice Movement in Zimbabwe”. I joined and never looked back. My life took on a different meaning and I have grown and learnt many lessons. My 35 years journey has had so many memorable experiences and lessons learnt. From the patients and clients that have gifted me with their stories, which enhanced my own journey through the many losses I have personally had. They were many funny moments, but amongst them I remember when a policeman came and asked “Are you Iceland Hosepipe”, and to keep a straight face was difficult.
Monalisa Nhengumatonda
ClinicalSocial worker , Recently joined with Island.
I love working at Island because it is an organisation that is concerned with enhancing quality of life and promoting well –being for patients and families and for me that is very important .I am very happy to be part of a team that honors life even if it’s only for a short time. When I discovered that island Hospice works with rural communities in the Big Lottery project, I was amazed by the mentorship of young carers and how it is helping these children to cope with the various situations that they find themselves in. It is really a very good project.
Elias Masendu
Finance Controller, 8 years with Island.
I like the working environment. We work as a team and above all the organisation is involved in helping people which is a good caurse. My most memorable experience; when I attended a team building workshop at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Val Maasdorp
Head of Clinical Services, 28 years with Island.
The people that work at Island Hospice – the staff and volunteers are a wonderful and diverse group of people. The work we do is very meaningful and we know we make a difference to those we help. My most memorable experiences with Island have been, having Elizabeth Kubler Ross visit Island; Island winning the multidisciplinary teamwork award from the International Journal of Palliative Nursing (IJPN) at the Savoy Hotel in London; Keeping a Suicidal bereaved patient alive and accompanying them on a journey where they find a reason to live.
Connie Fairall
Palliative care nurse, 22 years with Island.
The job gives great satisfaction, very rewarding to know that I have helped families and patients. Everything that has happened at Island is memorable.