Tag - Cancer

Social workers and their immense capacity to care

Two of our care partners share a story each about their work with social workers… When one of our patients enrols on the Alignd Palliative Care Programme, we put together a multidisciplinary palliative care team, and including an oncology social worker is key. They are laser-focused on helping patients and their families. And it’s why, this World Social Work Day – and...

dad brushing son's hair

Media release: Extra support for advanced cancer patients through medical scheme innovation

AfroCentric Group subsidiary Medscheme’s partnership with value-based care provider, Alignd, is transforming advanced cancer care delivery and enhancing patients’ experience. JOHANNESBURG, 13 October 2022 – As countries expand health benefits for cancer care, there’s a risk that people suffering from terminal cancer will spend their last days in hospitals away from their loved ones, often in pain and struggling with...

Woman hugging woman with cancer

5 things to know about palliative care this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Palliative care can help you manage breast cancer. A diagnosis of serious breast cancer is scary. You’re faced with treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, and side effects and symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue and anxiety. Things can feel overwhelming. Palliative care will help. Here’s what you need to know… 1. Palliative care is a specialised type of medical...

Old woman with flowers

“I wish we’d accessed Alignd palliative care earlier in my husband’s illness”

With a palliative care team by her side, Mrs T didn’t have to do all the caring for her husband – she was able to just be his wife. Mr and Mrs T had been married for 40 years when Mr T was diagnosed with serious cancer. They were devoted partners, and Mrs T did all of the caring for...

Man with cancer

A good palliative care practitioner is a patient’s and an oncologist’s best friend

Oncologist, Dr Irene Hitchin, has seen first-hand the power of early referral palliative care, which is why she introduces palliative care to her serious cancer patients at the first consult – along with the curative treatment plan. The effects are powerful. Clinical and radiation oncologist, Dr Irene Hitchin’s advanced cancer patients have a bit of an advantage. Dr Hitchin is a...

Our manifesto

As we embark on doing more — better, faster, wider, smarter — and with (and for) more people, we will live our manifesto, inviting others to be a part of what we are guardians to. Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.See...

CANSA collaborates with Alignd to increase access to palliative care

[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...

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“I wish I knew about palliative care as my sister was dying”

Zodwa Sithole, Head of Advocacy for CANSA, lost her sister, Elizabeth, to cancer 10 years ago. Because no one had offered Elizabeth palliative care early on, she experienced a lot of pain and uncertainty. This is Zodwa’s story… Before Zodwa Sithole became the Head of Advocacy for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), she was a nurse, with training in...

Dragonfly on hand

Does your medical aid offer you ongoing palliative (not only end-of-life) care?

Recently Discovery Health announced their new member benefits for 2022. We were thrilled to see they had enhanced their palliative care offering to cover not just end-of-life care but early access too. Palliative care, in the true sense of the term, is ongoing support on diagnosis of a serious illness. We’re thrilled because we are no longer the lone voice out...

Dr Lungi Nyathi

Alignd announces Dr Lungi Nyathi as new CEO

Press release: Alignd has appointed Dr Lungi Nyathi as CEO from December this year Dr Lungi Nyathi joins Alignd from Medscheme/Afrocentric Health where she served as Executive Director for over five years. She brings to her new role a wealth of experience, having worked in the healthcare sector in executive, management, and clinical roles over the past 11 years. Welcoming Nyathi, Alignd’s...

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