The legacy of 'grandmother of palliative care' in Uganda lives on

IN A small home in Uganda’s capital, Jane Mwesige, a nurse with a hospice that has transformed African end-of-life care, breaks into a gospel song about surrendering to God, a favourite of her patient Jonathan Luzige.

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These home visits, combining affordable medical care and spiritual support, are part of Mwesige’s routine with Hospice Africa Uganda.

Founded in 1993 by Dr Anne Merriman, it brought holistic end-of-life care to Uganda at a time when it was offered in only three African countries.

By the time Merriman, 90, died in May, she had treated more than 40.000 Ugandans and her model had spread to 37 countries on the continent.

In his worn-brick home, Luzige’s colon cancer makes it difficult to move, but he eagerly joins in the singing.

“I feel very happy, and it made me feel stronger knowing there are people who are able to care for me,” said Luzige, 30.

“Palliative care is all about taking care of patients,” said Mwesige. “Every one of us, or one of our relatives, may need the service.”

Born in Britain to Irish parents, Merriman trained as a doctor and became a nun before leaving her order to help establish palliative care in Singapore.