Call for Applications

Bursary Schemes to support palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa

The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) is pleased to announce a call for applications for bursaries to build, improve, and advance palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. This program is made possible thanks to a grant from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Individuals living and working in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are eligible to apply.

Bursaries will be awarded in two categories:

• Postgraduate qualification courses in palliative care. Courses need tobe in institutions which are government accredited and academically affiliated and for post graduate level leading to a certified and government recognized formal degree (i.e. Distance Learning Diplomas, MSc/MPhil).
• Research courses on basic research and methodology, including study design, statistical tools, statistical analysis and applicability, writing grant applications for research and preparing a paper for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Ms. Olivia Dix, Head of the Palliative Care Initiative at The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, noted ‘The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund’s Palliative Care Initiative believes that increasing the number of medical personnel trained in palliative care and increasing research skills are both vital to the development of palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. However the costs of courses are too much for many individuals. Bursaries are essential and the IAHPC, with its long experience of educational work and expert Board, is the ideal partner for us. We are delighted and grateful that it has agreed to run this bursary scheme, which we anticipate will make a significant difference to the availability and quality of palliative care over the next few years.’

Dr. Faith Mwangi – Powell, an IAHPC Board member and Executive Director of the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) said: “Given the growing impetus to drive forward both palliative care research and education in Africa, these learning bursaries from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund are a highly welcome development. On behalf of the IAHPC, the APCA and the wider regional palliative care community, I thank The Fund for providing this innovative and much welcome funding. Indeed, with the limited palliative care skills and the dearth of methodologically rigorous evidence to advance palliative care service development in the continent, I have no doubt the bursaries will make a significant contribution.”

Dr. Zipporah Ali, also an IAHPC Board member and National Coordinator of the Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Organization, mentioned: “We are very grateful to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and IAHPC for availing bursaries to support palliative care in Africa. Indeed, this is a great opportunity for many in Africa who have a great need on training in palliative care. While there is so much demand for palliative care clinicians, only very few have any training in palliative care. The bursaries will provide a golden opportunity to improve care for patients with life limiting illnesses in our communities, thus alleviating the pain and suffering that our patients and their families unnecessarily go through. Research in palliative care is lacking in Africa. This is mainly due to lack of knowledge and understating of research methodologies. These bursaries will go a long way to give an opportunity to health care professionals to fully understand the importance of research and how we can improve care through evidence based research. We would like to encourage health care professionals to seize this great opportunity and apply for bursaries.”

Applications must be received three (3) months in advance of the course’s starting date. Preference will be given to individuals applying for courses based in Africa. Applicants may only apply for one of the two bursaries.

To learn more about the criteria, description of the bursaries and how to apply, click on http://www.hospicecare.com/ts/