Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa: Join us on our mission across Africa
Success story
Tumaini John Kweka, a specialist palliative care nurse from Tanzania, enrolled on the Bachelor of Science in Palliative Care Diploma in 2016. She is a full time worker at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) Hospice and Palliative Care programme.
Short Courses
For professionals interested in an introduction to palliative care the Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa offers numerous short courses. Click on each course for more information on regarding content and application
5 Day
Healthcare Professionals Course
This is a 5-day course for doctors, clinical officers, registered nurses/midwives, pharmacists and dispensers. Participants are introduced to a wide range of palliative care topics to equip them with modern methods of pain assessment and management of cancer and HIV and AIDS patients at any stage of the disease, in resource limited settings. It also aims at improving communication and clinical skills. It takes a holistic approach and this implies care for the patient in all aspects and their family
5 Day
Allied Professionals Course
This is a 5-day course for professionals working alongside health professionals, such as counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, physio-therapists, teachers and lawyers. It focuses on the concept and principles of palliative care, communication and basics on clinical pharmacology. The course aims to encourage Allied Professionals to develop a holistic approach to caring and communicating with cancer and HIV and AIDS patients as well as advocating for palliative care among their colleagues, schools and centres of higher learning.
5 DAY
Spiritual Carer Courses
This is a 5-day course targets religious leader of the various denominations, catechists, and any other persons working closely with patients. It aims at creating awareness of the spiritual and holistic needs of patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS other life limiting illnesses.
3 DAY
Traditional Healers Course
Traditional healers are a part of the healthcare community in Uganda and therefore it is important to acknowledge this practice as part of our palliative care. This three day course will introduce aspects of palliative care provision and traditional healers are invited to share some of their wisdom on symptom control. One of the goals of this course is to ensure patients who have life-threatening illnesses who are seen by traditional healers are referred to appropriate healthcare professionals.
3-5 DAY
Community Volunteer Course
This is a 3 to 5-day course for volunteers within the community who are working closely with patients. It aims at empowering the trainees with basic knowledge and skills in nursing care plus creating awareness about holistic needs of patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS other life limiting illnesses and Non communicable diseases (NCDS)
6 WEEK
Rapid Morphine Prescriber’s Course
This six week Rapid Morphine Prescriber’s course is offered to Clinical Officers who wish to be accredited as morphine prescribers. The course has nine modules which aim to equip Clinical Officers with the knowledge and skills to be able to prescribe morphine as part of a holistic palliative care service.
Study Programs
Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa offers a bachelor’s degree and two diplomas addressed to African health professionals committed to palliative care.
1 Year
Diploma In Clinical Palliative Care
The diploma in clinical palliative care is a one year full time course or distance learning course that provides clinical officers, registered nurses and midwives with the skill set needed to legally prescribe morphine and deliver specialist palliative care. This course combines theoretical course work with intense field training. This course is key to educating experienced health workers in the field of palliative care that they become focal persons for the provision of this vital care in their communities.
3 Year
Bachelors Of Science In Palliative Care
The Bachelor of Science in palliative care is a three year distance learning programme open to clinical practitioners with an interest in palliative care. It is aimed at a diverse audience and attracts students from across Africa. This programme is offered by IHPCA in affiliation with Makerere University; IHPCA teaches this programme with Makerere University conferring the degree, upon successful completion of the course works. Applicants who hold Diploma in palliative care from any recognised Institution of Higher Learning can join the programme in year two.
1 Year
Diploma in Palliative Care
This is a one- year programme undertaken by distance learning open to clinical practitioners with interest in palliative care which attracts students from across Africa. It is also offered by the Institute in affiliation with Makerere University. The Institute teaches the programme and the Diploma is conferred by Makerere University. Students who successfully complete this programme can join the degree programme in the second year.
1 Year
Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care
The postgraduate diploma in palliative care is a distance learning programme designed for health professionals with Bachelor’s Degree in Palliative Care or any allied health related discipline. The Health Professional should be working in or intending to work in the area of palliative Care or supportive Care. Health Care professionals with health related Master’s degree can also enrol on this programme. A student who completes the postgraduate diploma successfully can join the Masters Programme in the second year.
2 Year
Masters of Science Degree in Palliative Care
The Master’s Degree in palliative care is a two- year distance learning programme taught by the Institute and awarded by Makerere University. It is designed to train and develop specialists and leaders in clinical palliative care, research and education and create a critical mass of palliative care specialists in sub Saharan Africa which will facilitate the integration of palliative care into national health care systems and manage the integrated palliative care. The programme is open to health professionals with Bachelor’s degree in palliative care or any other health related degree. Health workers with Master’s degree and those with postgraduate diploma in palliative care can also enter the course.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions regarding the courses above, please get in touch via the contact details below:
+256 701 968 098
+256 392 766 867
Plot 130, Makindye Road, Makindye.
P. O. Box 7757, Kampala
