Recently in my capacity as MMC for Health, I attended the opening of Residentia Life at Residentia Hermon in Pretoria North. Residentia Life is a palliative care facility that will start admitting patients at the end of June 2023.
A facility of this nature is critically important. Palliative care is specialised medical care for people living with a serious or terminal illness. While its primary focus is to provide relief from the symptoms of the illness, when performed optimally, it can also greatly assist with reducing the stress associated with the illness. This is not only for the patient, but for affected families as well. The objective is to improve the quality of life of patients and their family members.
Among the challenges registered by healthcare providers and facility managers present at the launch is the issue of funding. Speakers expressed that there is a dire need for funding for palliative care facilities given that most patients do not have access to medical aid. In Gauteng alone, only 12 of 19 palliative care facilities receive funding from the Gauteng Provincial Government. As such, many facilities operate as non-profit organisations and rely extensively on donor funding.
I used the opportunity to address the integrated team that will care for patients at Residentia Life. I stressed the importance of professionalism and treating patients with dignity, empathy, patience, compassion and integrity. We need to adopt a people-centred approach at all times.
As the MMC for Health, I want to express my gratitude to all those involved in the establishment and launch of Residentia Life. This facility will give expression to holistic medical care as it will involve aspects of physical and emotional care for those most vulnerable with life-limiting illnesses. To be of service to others is our greatest calling.
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