Mahlet (not her real name) is one of the patients visited by Tim and Sue last October. Mahlet is a 36 year old female patient following the Christian Orthodox religion. She was diagnosed with HIV 15 years ago and 3 years ago was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Surgery was not appropriate, so she was treated with radiotherapy which has left her with colitis and bloody diarrhoea. She was referred to Hospice Ethiopia by the Black Lion Hospital for management of her troublesome symptoms.
She is widowed and lives in a 1 roomed house with her son sharing a communal latrine. She rents her ‘kebele’ house which means it is owned by the local woreda (council). Prior to her illness Mahlet worked as a ‘daily worker’ but is no longer able to work so receives a monthly grant from the Tewolde Madhane Comfort Fund. Due to her poor income, she is entitled to be part of the government’s health insurance scheme, for which she pays a small amount. This entitles her to free basic health care.
Her mood was low and Nurse Kalkidan spent time listening to her worries. She is lonely as her son is at college all day and she is unable to get out much due to her disease. Nurse Kalkidan planned to refer her to the Hospice’s Day Care programme. When asked what difference Hospice Ethiopia had made to her life, she replied “I get all the help I need for example I receive medicines, sanitary pads and money so that I can eat.” She did not have any questions but ended the visit saying “God bless you. I have all I need”.
Visit our YouTube channel here to see a video of Nurse Kalkidan with Mahlet.
Hospice Ethiopia UK 