Cancer Association Welcomes First Free Paediatric Oncology Patient Admission

The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), through its Palliative Care Namibia (PCN) programme, has admitted its first pro bono patient at the House Zietsman care facility in Windhoek. Pro bono refers to professional services provided free of charge. In a statement issued on Tuesday, CAN said it has admitted a paediatric oncology patient who was previously receiving treatment in the public health system and has been registered with CAN’s Namibia programme since her diagnosis three years ago. CAN and PCN chief executive Rolf Hansen said assisting vulnerable patients is central to the organisations’ mission, noting that many Namibians cannot afford private healthcare. “At all times, the highest quality of care, empathy and compassion remain our goal,” Hansen said. Hansen said patients remain at the core of care regardless of whether services are privately funded or provided pro bono. He said some cancer cases require specialised pain and wound care during the acute palliative phase. Hansen said the PCN operates on a hybrid care model, balancing privately insured patients with vulnerable state patients who after discharge from hospital-based curative care are unable to manage needs at home. CAN will consider admissions of state paediatric oncology patients, subject to specialist consultation and bed availability, the statement issued by CAN reads. The statement says that fully complimentary admissions for adult cancer patients are not yet financially viable. “After our first year of operations, House Zietsman care facility is now able to navigate its finances to support ad hoc paediatric oncology cases,” Hansen said. He said the organisation has not yet reached the private patient referral capacity needed to sustainably expand pro bono care to adult public health patients. Currently, CAN supports cancer patients nationwide through its Patient Financial Assistance Programme, which assists with home-based care, the statement reads.