Ethiopian Palliative Care

Kalkidan Abera

Kalkidan Abera first accessed palliative care for breast cancer, now her pain and symptoms are controlled through palliative care and she volunteers with Hospice Ethiopia.

I am a single mother to twin boys. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I thought my life was over. I worried how I would afford my treatment and care expense, if my illness made me give up my job.

Hospice Ethiopia managed my pain and symptoms and gave me counselling. Now I live pain free and became able to provide for my family. I volunteer as a care giver and counsellor for Hospice Ethiopia, helping others with serious problems like I once had.

Fantanesh Ayele

Fantanesh Ayele felt abandoned by people, but holistic palliative care from Hospice Ethiopia has improved her quality of life.

I was abandoned by people but this holistic care has helped me more than any medicines prescribed at hospitals. Palliative care has decreased my suffering. Now I am relieved, my children are able to go to school, and we are all given love and care by the palliative care team.

I can say that many things have changed in my life after I accessed palliative care. I believe the same will happen for other patients in need of palliative care. There are patients who are hidden at their homes refusing to talk about their disease and die with suffering and no proper care. Those are people who need to be addressed with palliative care.

I trust that the quality of lives of patients suffering from life threatening illness will be improved with palliative care.

Etsegenet Asefa

Etsegenet Asefa had severe physical pain and symptoms, but also emotional, spiritual and psychosocial pain due to her cancer diagnosis. Palliative care relieved her suffering, brought comfort to her and her family, and gave her confidence and hope once more.

My name is Etsegenet Asefa, I’m 50 years old and I access palliative care at Hospice Ethiopia.

After my diagnosis, I found myself in a severe physical, psychosocial & spiritual distress. But after accessing palliative care, my suffering was holistically relieved. I have comfort and improved health status. I am now able to help others by giving care and raising awareness for those who were once in my shoes. My family are very happy, satisfied and at peace with my improvements and that am alive now with no pain.

Palliative care must be accessible because there are numerous people suffering from life threatening illness in developing counties like Ethiopia, especially women with breast and cervical cancer.

After I accessed palliative care, I got the initiative, courage and psychological readiness to start from the beginning again.

I used to give up on myself, I never saw that I would be here today. I advise and encourage people to not give up on themselves.