14 May 2002
The Deputy President paid a visit to the Pretoria Sungardens Hospice today, 14 May 2002, as part of the government campaign to mobilize South Africans around providing care and support for those living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
The Deputy President is the Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) and also heads the Presidential Task Team on HIV/AIDS.
The visit was aimed at highlighting the importance of providing care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS and their families, to promote volunteerism in hospices and home based care, and to take forward the campaign against the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS and those infected and affected by it.
The visit also forms part of the Care Week, which will culminate in International Candlelight Memorial Day on Sunday, 19 May 2002.
Background/Profile of Hospice
The Pretoria Sungardens, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville Hospice was established in 1985 and has been running since then with programs aimed at providing care for terminally ill patients.
The following services are rendered by the hospice:
The majority of patients are cared for in their own homes where the family becomes the unit of care. A professional, and experienced nurse is always readily available to assess the condition of the patient and to provide care whenever is necessary, and patients are visited on a regular basis.
The hospice has an in-patient unit for patients requiring intensive medical care, pain and symptom control, or those who wish to die in the unit. Patients are also admitted for up to three weeks for respite care when the family needs a break.
Patients visit the hospice once a week to be assessed medically, and this also provides them with an opportunity to interact and socialize with other patients.
The hospice maintains contact with the bereaved family after a patient has died, and this helps with emotional support for them.
Finances
The hospice relies on donations. Families decide upon a contribution they can pay once the cost of caring for the patient is explained to them. No patient is turned away due to inability of family members to pay.The Deputy President personally pledged R10 000 to Pretoria Sun Garden Hospice.
Deputy President Zuma has called upon all South Africans to take up the challenge of caring for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in their communities, and for all to work towards building a caring nation.
Issued by The Presidency: Republic of South Africa