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Thokozile Mbedzi

LIMITLESS empathy and a passion to serve others could be some of the words that come to mind when one hears about the selfless work being done by two retired nurses in Bubi District of Matabeleland North.

After seeing first-hand the indignities suffered by terminally ill patients who cannot afford health care, Sisters; Adelaide Nyathi (62) and Anita Maria Dick (62) formed a trust to cater for the less fortunate members of society. 

They have combined more than 80 years of practical healthcare experience in Southern Africa to set up the Bubi Hospice Care Trust which provides health services to those who are dying or need round-the-clock care.

The retired nurses are working miracles with limited resources to ensure patients needing palliative care are comfortable and happy until they breathe their last. 

True to the Nurses’ Pledge that they took upon graduation before independence in 1980, they provide patients needing end-of-life care and give support to their caregivers in a dignified setting, using their savings and donations to cater for the people who desperately need the service but do not have money to pay.

At the moment, there are 19 patients admitted while others are being treated from home.

The pledge reads: “I solemnly pledge myself to the service of humanity and will endeavour to practise my profession with conscience and with dignity. I will maintain, by all the means in my power, the honour and noble tradition of my profession. The total health of my patients will be my first consideration.” 

The nurses noted the grave need for such a facility in the country.

Sister Maria Dick, her face lighting up with joy, said: “Bubi Hospice Trust is an organisation that was registered on January 23, 2018. It will be of great help in Hospice Care Trust and is situated 42 kilometres from Bulawayo in the countryside providing a serene and calm surrounding for our parents at Graves and Extension, Village two, Ward 10, Bubi, Nyathi.”

“Bubi Hospice Care Trust provides a centre for the relief of pain and distress, whether physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual or social. We also have a welcoming and compassionate environment for people diagnosed with cancer and terminal illness.”

She said holistic care enhances the quality of life, including effective symptom control and social and emotional support to enable the individual to live their lives to the full. She said the key to the actual care was the need to treat each person with dignity and respect.

Sister Nyathi said the trust had come up with a way of establishing a Resource Centre for education and training for professionals, families and other support agencies involved in providing palliative care.

“In this initiative, we also train Nurse Aides. We also provide development of training and support training for staff and volunteers to ensure a skilled and expert team that is enthusiastic about its role in palliative care. At Bubi hospice we work with primary health care institutions, general practitioners and other providers in the development of comprehensive palliative care services,” she said.

Above and beyond the call of duty, the trust also provides bereavement counselling and follow-ups to affected family members.

The partners are raising funds to build a school at the hospice centre.

“We are also building a school called Thembelitsha to cater for children who are terminally ill from ECD A to Grade 7. This protects children from stigma and ensures they do not miss lessons when they fall sick. It can even become a stopover and rest spot for children travelling for treatment to bigger hospitals around the country,” said Sister Nyathi, who appealed for donations to make the dream a reality.

A patient at the hospice who chose to be identified as Mr Moyo of Bulawayo spoke glowingly of the institution.

“I really appreciate what they are doing for me and my family members, when I am in pain they call the hospice staff and they really come and treat me. I really acknowledge them for their support,” said Mr Moyo.