Hospice Care In Tanzania
US-African Hospice
Partnerships are helping to develop hospice care in Africa. The
Foundation for Hospices in Sub Saharan Africa (FHSSA), a programof
NHPCO, helps to connect and support these partnerships. Since 2001, The
Denver Hospice has had a partnership with Selian Lutheran Hospice in Arusha, Tanzania. Being partnered with an African hospice
involves a two-way exchange of ideas, staff, and approaches to hospice,
as well as a commitment by the US hospice to give moral, educational and
financial support. In 2006, Exempla Lutheran Hospice joined The Denver
Hospice in supporting Selian Hospice.
Selian Hospice currently serves over 3,300 patients
with only 10 paid staff and over 250 volunteers. 70 - 90% of Selian
patients are HIV positive and many of those also have TB. Selian
provides medications, basic food supplies, and social and spiritual
support. They also provide support to over 1,000 orphans and vulnerable
children in the area.
The Selian model of home hospice care is being
replicated throughout Tanzania. 16 new hospice programs have been
started in the past 5 years through a USAID grant. Selian serves as the
clinical training center for these new programs. Zimbabwe is currently
ramping up home hospice care as well, using the Selian model. The
Namibian government has also shown interest in the Selian model. The
influence of Selian hospice is spreading not just in their own service
area, but throughout Tanzania and even elsewhere in Africa.