Ndimoyo Palliative Care Trust trains health workers in Salima

Malawi: The Ndimoyo Palliative Care started a five-week Palliative Care Initiators Course in Salima District to address the country's lack of skilled and trained palliative health care providers.

The training, provided by Ndimoyo Palliative Care Trust, a non-profit organisation (NGO), also aims to provide health workers with knowledge on pain relief and symptom control.

Bisani Mphongolo, Country Manager of the NGO, expressed concern about the small number of people receiving palliative care, saying that this should not be the case.

"We are training people to approach patients holistically, which allows them to become advocates, leaders, and initiators of palliative care in their health units," Phongolo explained.

He also stated that community health workers are being trained to increase their knowledge and expertise in palliative care.

Phongolo confirmed that they are training 20 health professionals from both government and private health facilities in 13 districts across Malawi.

In a statement on the same topic, Deputy Minister of Health Honourable Enock Phale praised Ndimoyo for the initiative, which will aid in the management of chronic illnesses in the country.

"As a government, we are overjoyed and grateful for the support and services that Ndimoyo is providing in making a difference in the lives of people suffering from chronic illness," Phale said.

He also pledged government support for the initiative, stating that they should be able to reach out to a large number of patients with relevant drugs and services.

"In our ministry, we are advocating for more public-private relationships so that we can work, support, and partner with various health stakeholders to improve the health of the nation," Phale said.

Deputy Minister of Health Enock Phale, Dr Jonas Chise, Director of Health, Salima District Commissioner, Grace Chirwa, Director of International Programs-Hospice Africa Uganda, Dr Eddie Mwebesa, and Senior Chief Karonga attended the course's launch.

The Ndimoyo Palliative Care Trust launched the Palliative Care Initiators course in 2015, and to date, 80 health professionals have been trained.