Medical Reports and Hospice Activities
September 2003- February 2004
During this period, 36 home visits and 315 ward visits were made. We received a total of 137 new patients, 45 re-attendances and lost 22 patients.
Our awareness efforts towards medical consultants are now bearing fruit and we have received a large number of new referrals.
However, we are sad to report that most of these referrals are made at a very late stage and as a result some of the patients were in our care for a very short time. In one particular instance, we had a patient for only two days.
Summary of activities during the period:
January - September 2003
Summary of Activities
The flow of number of patients during the period January-September 2003. These includes both new and return patients. Some of the patients have since passed on. We are trying to establish the exact numbers.
Prevailing cases of cancer in the Coastal set-up are Cancer of the Cervix and Breast in women. Majority of our patients are Women followed by Men. There are also few cases of Children seen by the medical staff.
Top Diagnosis
Some HIV cases superimposed with cancer have also been noted. We continue to make follow-up on our patients. We are appealing to the hospitals in the region to refer patients to us early as it has been noted that some patients are referred to the hospice when in "advanced stage" thus, are not under our care for long.
Home Visits Carry On
Since the Hospice premises are situated in Mombasa town within reach of those who live nearby, the Hospice team continues to extend its services beyond the area. In order to reach more of those in need beyond these boundaries, monthly home visits have been established and now extends to two districts each about 70kms away. The hospice has grown from a monthly maximum of 12 patients during the first year to between 18 and 25 patients. Some of the stronger patients visit the hospice to seek more attention. But not all patients are able to do that hence our attempts to reach out to them.
During the home visits, our staff also counsel patients and their families on positive living. It is encouraging that our patients continue to receive quality palliative care - many of whom would otherwise be in uncontrolled pain and their families in distress. This has been further made possible by the acquisition of the hospice van last year. The Coast hospice visualizes that in a few years to come, every district in the Coast province will have its own palliative care team and many more health professionals will be able to deliver effective palliative care.
Editorial
Hope and More Hope - But Lots Of Work Still Ahead
The Coast Hospice is getting busier by the day. Activities continue to gain ground as the hospice enhances its activities in the coast region in general besides making a mark in the hospice movement in Kenya.
Now in its third year of operation, the Hospice continues to alleviate the suffering of people in the region in both small and big ways. The hospice has made a significant stride in attending to its ever- growing number of patients on a day to day basis. The trend shows a general rise in out-patient numbers, possibly due to a number of factors. Also enhanced are both the home and ward visits and the regularizing of day care services.
Although this may seem a step in the right direction for a young hospice such as ours, the challenge ahead is more arduous hence our need to rise up and take it head on. With the escalating number of cancer cases still been documented, there is need for the hospice to further re-double its efforts. As the hospice activities become more recognized, so will the number of those seeking its services increase. Coast Hospice must continue in its quest to offer palliative care, home based care and other services of the same magnitude.
In addition, we intend to continue thinking of and planning to incorporate HIV/AIDS palliative care in our range of services when the appropriate time arrives. HIV/AIDS is threatening the very existence of mankind in the globe today and its effects are as devastating. As researchers, doctors and others continue to seek for a lasting solution to the scourge, the hospice movement in Kenya must likewise begin making its contribution if it has not already done so. Coast Hospice is committed to this and more so because the line between HIV/AIDS and related cancers is really thin.
Our achievements and challenges aside, the hospice is eternally grateful to its core donors Hospice Care Kenya (HCK in the UK) and Mrs Laura Symons (UK) for their continued assistance towards supporting our worthy course, the Coast General Hospital for its hospitality in according us space and a number of other local donors and friends of the hospice.
It is our intention to carry on with our activities as we move on to ensure we bring comfort and bring peace to the days of those we care for and love.