Individual and group counselling sessions is an important part of our support care services offered to all children and families admitted to Upendo ward. Families and children learn about their different cancer conditions and also have opportunities to ask questions or express fears and share emotions. The group therapy sessions are extremely interesting and valuable as individuals become part of the cancer care community.
End of life issues are extremely important to address prior to discharge in our setting. We can rarely visit a child at home given the distances and also the number of children attending the service. But parents take some comfort by being well counselled and prepared prior to discharge and having Dr Jane Kaijage’s support at the end of a telephone at all times. We plan to expand our palliative care team and train other staff in this vital field over time.