WHAT WE DO
Our Services
We strive to do provide a lot here at Mother of Mercy Hospice and Health Centre, Zambia. We provide many different services to help improve the lives of others, and educate people on how they can help themselves. We are proud of the work we do. Here you can learn more about about our services.
PALLIATIVE CARE HOME
Offering care and support to the terminally and chronically ill
The hospice functions like a home based care unit in that we admit very ill patients from the community. We offer them medical, spiritual, psycho-social and nutritional support. We also attend to patients on out-patient basis.
Even though 95% of the patients we see are HIV/AIDS related, we do attend to patients with other medical conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis and cancer. We treat opportunistic infections such as TB and Kaposi’s Sarcoma to monitor disease pattern and delay the progression of a patient to AIDS condition.
ART CLINIC
Anti-Retro Viral Therapy Clinic
Since June 2006 we have been offering free Anti-Retro Viral drugs (ARV’S) to patients from our catchments area and any other patients who are in need. We have a group of Adherence Supporters who visit patients on a daily basis.
In 2008 we opened an ARV Distribution Centre which is a joint initiative between CHAZ (Churches Health Association of Zambia) and the Hospice, together with the Japanese Government whose ‘Grass Roots’ community care program provided the funds to construct the building as well as providing some of the equipment.
Now we have total number of 2669 clients including 144 children enrolled in ART clinic.
We also refer and transport patients to Lusaka for specialist consultation and treatment.
COMMUNITY ADHERENCE SUPPORT
Outreach Program
With our Chilanga Hospice car we are able to visit and provide follow ups for patients who are on ART, and those who have been discharged from the hospice.Â
We have 25 Adherence Supporters who work in the Communities by providing good care and support to our clients on ART.
We have nurses who visit these patients in their homes and offer them medical and psychosocial support. Where needed, they will refer ill patients to the hospice and where possible they distribute food aid (maize meal, kapenta, sugar, cooking oil and High Energy Protein Supplement) to HIV-positive people, TB patients currently on treatment and other vulnerable groups in the society.
VCT
Voluntary Counseling and Testing
We offer free VCT to the community. People from the community can access free testing for HIV. Â Those who are found to be HIV positive are then referred to the ART Clinic for further care and medical management of the condition. We also conduct mobile VCT to various communities.
PMTCT
Prevention Mother To Child Transmission
The Mother of Mercy Art Clinic conducts the PMTCT intervention through educational talks to positive mothers who are involved with ART programs and awareness sessions in the community.
To reduce MTCT the hospice uses the following strategies:
Confidential Voluntary Counseling and Testing (including couple counseling)
Diagnosing and testing any STIs in the pregnant woman
Considering alternatives to breastfeeding
PCR test for early detection of HIV virus
SUPPORT GROUPS
Offering group support to those living with HIV/AIDs
The main aim of these groups is to continue giving support, care and to reduce stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV and AIDS in the community. Tuyume support group began in October 2004 (Tuyume meaning to be strong). The group comprises 21 members - 16 female and 5 male. The other group is for the young people of ‘Youth Friendly Corner’.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
What We Can Do
The Physiotherapy Department was offered to in-patients and out-patients for the services of rehabilitation for many years. Physiotherapy in palliative care is essential, as many bedridden patients lose their mobility and need to be kept comfortable in their condition; this can be achieved through physiotherapy sessions.
Unfortunately at present the hospice is not able to employ a physiotherapist due to financial constraints, but we are in pursuit of funding to allow this service to continue.
Get in touch today and get involved in our cause.