ESTCOURT KZN: Spotlight falls on Hospice’s many voices of love
"My most difficult challenge is to explain to relatives about patients' prognosis, especially cancer patients"
The first week in May is commemorated as Hospice Week and gives a voice to those who work daily with ill patients and their families.
The Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) has been profiling health workers in communities across the country and one of the staff members featured is Estcourt Hospice Association professional nurse Iris Geli Ndlovu.
Mrs Ndlovu has been working at Hospice for the past five years and has been an integral part of the team, as well as in the lives of the patients and families she helps.
SEE THIS: VIDEO: How Estcourt Hospice Association assists locals
Mrs Ndlovu says she decided to focus on palliative care to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is defined as specialised medical care for people living with a serious illness.
Her goal and greatest fulfilment is seeing a patient comfortable and pain-free.
She describes herself as an empathetic person who actively listens to patients.
“My most difficult challenge is to explain to relatives about patients’ prognosis, especially cancer patients. People find it challenging to come to terms with the disease and their prognosis,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
Her advice to people who have a life-threatening illness and their families is to accept the diagnosis and give support holistically.
Treating people who are nearing the end of the lives is undoubtedly a stressful occupation and Mrs Ndlovu says that one needs to be a humble and passionate person.
To take care of her own health and balance, Mrs Ndlovu exercises three times a week and hosts daily debriefing sessions, which she says helps her to relax.
Mrs Ndlovu continues to uphold the Estcourt Hospice Association motto of ‘With Love We Care’.
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