Words from Tanzania

Much of the monies going to help fight HIV/AIDS in sub-saharan Africa are targeting the care and treatment of those who live with this disease and supporting health care capacity-building.

The first training session of the Twinning Center (AIHA) palliative care project with the SEIA Synod and the Pare Diocese was held a couple weeks ago, and 36 health care workers from the districts of Mwanga and Same (Kilimanjaro Region, TZ) received training for end of life care for those with long term illnesses. Through this one year program which ends March 31, 2008, 200 health care and community workers will be trained. All part of a PEPFAR grant, we hope to leap frog into the second year which will continue the training and organize centers where the trained workers can build their program and train and help others in the community who administer this important component of home-based care.

Three volunteer trainers from Iowa were hand-picked by the Executive Director of Iowa Sister States, a non-profit international partner states program who acts as administrator of the project. Included were a doctor who is a consecrated diaconal minister, a hospital researcher and manager, and a director of an HIV/AIDs social service agency. The Exec Director of Iowa Sister States accompanied them.

The 5-1/2 day training session was held at our own Pare Diocese Amani Hostel meeting room, and although there was no air conditioning, a slight breeze provided some relief. The Tanzanians are used to the weather and food and our guests from Iowa did very well in adjusting to the different conditions, although could tell they were not in Iowa anymore. The session was opened by honorable Bishop S. O. Msangi. The two Pare Diocese presenters who joined our Iowa team were the Medical Secretary, Dr. Amini Mshighwa and Pastor Joas Mpinda.

Some of the main topics of the palliative care training are: pain management, communications and delivering bad news, nutrition, terminal symptoms, grief in adults and children, spirituality, ethics, neuropsychology, stress management, opportunistic infections, documentation and relevant referrals.

The Iowa team flew into the country on a Friday, and two members flew out after just 8 days and the two others flew back to Iowa after 10 days in Tanzania. We were glad to have them in Same, although for just a short time. Our thanks to them for their fine voluntary effort and capable leadership in this first training session.