The Chief Executive Officer of the Shepherd’s Hospice Sierra Leone, Gabriel Madiye, has stated in his keynote address during the celebration of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on the 10th October, 2009 that “about 43,000 Sierra Leoneans suffer from HIV”. He further disclosed that even with the alarming indicator, only about 1,500 are put on anti-retro viral therapy. The event took place at the organization’s office at Allen Town in the East end of Freetown.
Mr. Madiye gave statistics indicating the prevalence of terminal diseases globally. He said that about 6 million cancer deaths and 10 million new cases of cancer are occurring every year. He said that with this tremendous increase in the number of cancer cases, it is expected to amount to 15 million by 2020. The figures, he mentioned, are more than the population of Sierra Leone, giving urgency for a quick measure to be put in place to combat the high increase of terminal diseases in not only Sierra Leone but the world at large.
Mr. Madiye said that the Shepherd Hospice, with its establishment in over 100 countries, has been proving aid to people suffering from terminal diseases in their respective locations. He added that the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is being celebrated to raise funds to cater for the growing number of cases of HIV, cancer, tuberculosis and other related diseases, adding that we should not be donor- dependent to address our domestic problem and that we should implement initiatives to be able to tackle our prevailing circumstances. He mentioned that the money raised from the different activities is being used to buy oral muffin, which is a drug administered to cancer patients and people who are terminally affected by HIV.
Moreover, he continued, the organization also makes provision for orphans and deprived children out of the money generated. He said the war devastated so many people more especially women and children, further stating that the organization has been providing due assistance to people in a bid to ease their emotional distress and bereavement. This has dramatically reduced suffering patients and families affected by life-limiting and terminal illnesses.
The Board Chairman of Shepherd’s Hospice Dr. Frank Nyama registered his appreciation for the organization’s effort to curb terminal diseases. He also stated that people should not be shy to explain their problems as far as sicknesses are concerned. He said that Shepherd’s Hospice offers free treatment and also equally provides comfort for those who are proved to be in the targeted condition. He expressed hope for more support to the organization to enable it acquire its set objectives.
Mrs. Lillian Nelson, one of the survivors of breast cancer in her testimony said that her encounter with cancer disease was turbulent considering the pains she has survived. She disclosed that even with all the money she spent initially to find solution to her problem it proved futile, and that she has only seen improvement when Shepherd Hospice intervened in a short period of time. She said that the very instant the muffin drug was given to her, the terrible pains she used to undergo have subsided. She pleaded for more support from government and concerned organizations to be given to the organization to foster the service to people suffering form HIV/AIDS, cancer and other terminable diseases nationwide.
Care-giver Mrs.Willietta Kojo-Woode explained the terrible ordeals her late mother underwent from cancer before she died. She said that the muffin drug was the only medication that brought peace and relief to her mother, and it was administered by officials of Shepherd’s Hospice. Mrs. Kojo-Woode maintained that officials were always responsive whenever they were called upon to treat her. She wholly appreciated the effort of the organization and called on all those who are in similar position to register their cases for quick intervention.
By Poindexter Sama
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