Palliative care in correctional centers-HPCA making progress in South Africa

Zodwa Sithole; Colleen Dempers

doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.04.008

Palliative care in correctional centers-HPCA making progress in South Africa

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010 Jul;40(1):13-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.04.008.

Authors

Zodwa Sithole¹, Colleen Dempers

Affiliation

¹ Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa, Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa.

PMID: 20619206
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.04.008

Abstract

In KwaZulu Natal (KZN), the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) has made a significant start in terms of addressing the palliative care needs of prisoners. A formal partnership has been established between the KZN Department of Correctional Services and the HPCA that allows staff at two correctional facilities to be mentored and equipped to provide palliative care to offenders. This pilot project has the potential for rollout at other facilities across the country. It is hoped that this vulnerable population group will be better able to access palliative care, which is a basic human right, for life-threatening and terminal conditions.

MeSH terms

Health Plan Implementation
Hospices / organization & administration*
Humans
Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
Palliative Care / organization & administration*
Prisons / organization & administration*
South Africa