[Press release] The Cancer Association of South Africa has partnered with Alignd to improve access to palliative care for cancer patients.
Cancer and its treatment can cause physical side effects and result in negative emotional, social and financial consequences for patients and their family.
Palliative care is an important part of cancer care that should be included along with treatments. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families.
Research shows that when a palliative care team is involved in supporting a cancer patient and a comprehensive, holistic home-based care plan is in place, side effects of treatment and the disease can be managed most effectively.
Patients are less likely to require emergency services, hospitalisation and intensive care unit stays. Family members feel much more supported too.
That’s why CANSA has partnered with Alignd, a value-based care and patient-centric organisation working with medical schemes to improve access to palliative care for cancer patients.
“Palliative care is an essential component of cancer care. People who receive palliative care along with treatment for the cancer, experience fewer severe side effects, better quality of life and are more satisfied with treatment. You may have palliative care at any age and for any type and stage of cancer,” says, Zodwa Sithole, CANSA’s Head of Advocacy.
“CANSA approves of Alignd’s patient-centered approach to increasing access to palliative care for patients with cancer, and believes that the service they provide speaks to a commitment to connecting people facing cancer with information, day-to-day help, as well as psychological, emotional and spiritual support in the communities where they live. This partnership will allow CANSA to share resources, and continue to educate and advocate for quality palliative for cancer patients.”
