Drivers from Ireland have raised over €107,000 (more than 400 million Ugandan shillings) to promote palliative care in Uganda.
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and suffering caused by serious illnesses, aiming to improve the quality of life for patients by addressing their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs, rather than attempting to cure the illness.
The funds were raised by 30 Irish drivers under the umbrella of Friends of Ambrose Blain and donated to Hospice Africa Uganda to support its palliative care programs.
Prossy Nakyanja, Executive Director of Hospice Africa Uganda, explained that the drivers organized a fundraising drive called “Drive for Hospice,” which successfully collected over €107,000.
Nakyanja noted that the donation would help bridge the budget gap for the 2024/2025 financial year, enabling the organization to resume many of its core activities, such as daycare, community outreach programs, and home visits.
“Due to financial constraints, we had to cut back on several palliative care activities. Thanks to the support from the Friends of Ambrose, we can now resume these essential services and reach more people in need,” she said.
However, Nakyanja highlighted ongoing challenges in raising awareness and acceptance of palliative care in Uganda. She stressed the need for extensive advocacy to address misconceptions, such as the belief that palliative care is only for those nearing the end of life.
Hospice Africa Uganda currently serves 500 to 1,000 patients across its three sites, offering a range of care options tailored to individual needs.
John O’Kelly, team leader of the Irish drivers, explained that they participated in an adventurous drive from Dar-es-Salaam to Kampala, transporting ambulances donated to Uganda by the Japanese government. This effort doubled as an opportunity to raise funds for Hospice Africa Uganda.
“We plan to continue raising funds and are working on developing more adventure programs to sustain contributions and support palliative care in Uganda,” O’Kelly said.
The ambulances were part of Japan’s donation to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with Irish volunteers driving them into the country as part of the fundraising initiative.
Hospice Africa Uganda’s impact extends beyond Uganda, as it works to expand palliative care across the African continent. Through its Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa, the organization trains healthcare workers from various countries, advancing the vision of accessible and compassionate care for all.