Patient Support

One of the key mandates of the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation (UCCF) is to provide psychosocial support to children battling cancer. The Patient Support Department plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care throughout their medical journey. This department enhances patient satisfaction and improves health outcomes by serving as a bridge between patients, medical professionals, and administrative services.

In addition to emotional and psychological support, the program assists children from underprivileged families who struggle to meet basic needs. It provides support for essential medications, benefiting 75.9% of patients annually, and offers transport assistance, with 22.2% of children receiving funding for travel to and from the hospital for treatment. Financial hardships often compound the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, and UCCF steps in to ensure that every child receives the necessary support.

The Patient Support Department also offers play therapy, benefiting nearly 80% of children at the cancer institute. This engaging approach provides a fun and comfortable way for young patients to express their emotions, reduce anxiety, and cope with medical procedures. Additionally, it transforms the hospital environment into a therapeutic space, making treatment less stressful and more engaging, especially for vulnerable children.

Counseling sessions form another pillar of patient support, helping children cope with the emotional toll of cancer while preventing depression and other mental health challenges. This service also extends to parents, who bear the immense responsibility of caring for their children during treatment. Alongside the emotional strain, parents often face significant psychological stress, worrying about how to afford their child’s essential needs and medications.

 Furthermore, the Patient Support Department integrates bereavement support, fostering a compassionate healthcare environment that prioritizes both medical care and emotional well-being. This service helps families navigate the profound grief of losing a loved one by offering counseling, guidance, and a safe space for emotional expression. By providing structured support, bereavement care helps prevent prolonged emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. It also plays a vital role in honoring the memory of the departed, offering closure, and helping families adjust to life after loss.

Through these initiatives, UCCF ensures that children with cancer and their families receive the holistic support they need—both during treatment and beyond creating a foundation of care that extends beyond medicine to embrace emotional resilience and overall well-being.