For Health Care Professionals
Book launch: Griefseed by Malika Ndolvu
I recently had the privilege of attending the book launch of Malika Ndlovu’s new book, Griefseed. Many of you will remember the moving opening performance by this writer, poet, curator, and applied arts practitioner at the 2023 Palliative Care Conference in Cape Town. The launch, held at Exclusive Books in Cavendish, drew a sizeable crowd. […]
Addressing the Gaps in Palliative Care: PALPRAC and EMGuidance Join Forces
Palliative care remains one of the most underutilised medical services worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Lancet Commission on Palliative Care and Pain Relief’s 2017 report and the WHO’s 2023 report, “Left behind in pain: Extent and causes of global variations in access to morphine for medical use and actions to improve […]
Palliative care at the UCT Summer School
The UCT Summer School is an annual initiative by the University of Cape Town (UCT) that brings together members of the public for intellectually stimulating lectures across a variety of disciplines. This much-anticipated event aims to make academic knowledge accessible to everyone, offering a platform for learning and discussion. One of this year’s highlights was […]
Palliative Care Awareness Day in Polokwane: A Heartwarming Success
The PALPRAC team was excited to head to Polokwane for a Palliative Care Awareness Day, hosted on the 5th of December 2024 in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Health. This event brought together participants from all corners of the province, with some travelling from as far as Groblersdal to join the occasion. Participants were […]
Celebrating World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2024 with PALPRAC
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to PALPRAC’s e-book project in celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD)! This year’s theme, “Ten Years Since the Resolution: How are we doing?”, encouraged us to reflect on how far we’ve come since the 2014 palliative care resolution, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges we […]
Highlights from the 2024 PainSA Congress in Durban
The 2024 PainSA Congress recently took place in Durban (17th-19th May 2024) and was a resounding success. Esteemed colleagues from around the world gathered to share valuable insights and discuss advancements in pain management. PainSA, the South African chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain, aims to enhance pain management across Southern […]
Breaking the Barriers: Promoting “phila unethezeke” (palliative care) Awareness in Khayelitsha
According to community members, palliative care in Khayelitsha has long been associated with death, making it a sensitive topic for the community. Cultural and spiritual beliefs about death contribute to barriers in accessing palliative care resulting in many community members avoiding discussion and options for palliative care. Our goal in Khayelitsha is to change the […]
BizCommunity reports: “Unveiling the heroes: A look behind the scenes of integrating palliative care into SA’s public health system.”
Dr Clint Cupido is a trailblazer in the palliative care community in South Africa. In an interview with Dr Clint Cupido, director of Abundant Life, a palliative care programme at Victoria Hospital in Wynberg, published by BizCommunity, he explains how patients living with serious illnesses and their loved ones are supported through their programme. It […]
Lotus FM: SA one of kind Palliative Care Conference 2023
Palliative Care Conference 2023 28 April 2023 Lotus FM Interview with Leigh Meinert, advocacy manager at APCC, about the Palliative Care Conference in April 2023 and palliative care in general.
Daily Maverick: Milestone conference puts inclusive and sustainable care in the spotlight
Palliative Care Conference 2023 Media: Daily Maverick LINK TO READ ARTICLE LINK TO READ ARTICLE
Let’s start a conversation!
April 2023 Palliative Care Conference 2023: Let’s start a conversation! Bush Radio speaks to PALPRAC Member, Social Worker and co-director and Umduduzi Hospice, Tracey Brand. Tracey unpacks the Palliative Care Conference for Bush listeners. Palliative care is everyone’s business and the core theme of our conference. Thank you for opening up the ‘red carpet’ […]
Morphine Shortage in SA!
Thank you to the POWER FM lunch team for this interview with PALPRAC Chair, Dr Julia Ambler, discussing the lack of availability of morphine. Reminding us that this poses a genuine concern for patients and doctors trying to manage pain. This conversation was also highlighted on NEWS 24 – insert below, Access to morphine in the South African […]
KykNet & Kie Medies: Dr Darren Green [Margie Venter] Palliatiewe Sorg
Clinical Director Dr. Margie Venter discusses Palliative Care on KykNet & Kie with Dr. Darren Green. Highlighting key misconceptions and important facts on Palliative Care, our multidisciplinary support, and our passion for Palliative Care within Southern Africa.
Euthanasia – Judge for Yourself
PALPRAC Chair Dr. Julia Ambler discussing Palliative Care in the context of an ongoing discussion on euthanasia. WATCH HERE: https://www.enca.com/shows/judge-yourself-dennis-davis-26-may-2022 MEDIA RELEASE – Euthanasia is not a Palliative Care practice. As the Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC), we would appreciate this opportunity to respond and describe Palliative Care more comprehensively due […]
Spotlight on Pain Management
Putting the spotlight on pain management. Link to article: https://bit.ly/3sPHm22 Addressing the need for good pain management, SPOTLIGHT address this concern for many South Africans. The article address inequalities in access to pain relief, assessing pain relief and treatment. Thank you to Dr. Margie Venter and SPOTLIGHT for this publication. https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/
Children’s Palliative Care in crises
Children’s Palliative Care is in crisis. Today, the 8th October, is HatsOn4CPC (children’s palliative care) day. It is an awareness day with the theme #LeaveNoOneBehind. While even adults are being left behind, especially in rural and impoverished areas, the plight of children living with serious illness is desperate. In her recent article in the Daily […]
Pippa Hudson in conversation about Palliative care
During Lunch with Pippa Hudson on Cape Talk 567, in her Family Matters slot, Pippa discusses the importance of palliative care with Dr Margie Venter.
Palliative care access remains a problem, also in the South African private healthcare sector.
Patients and their families facing serious illnesses should be offered an extra layer of skilled, medical support called PALLIATIVE CARE. This should be the norm, from the time of diagnosis. This is not happening in the private healthcare sector. Why not and is there a solution?