Palliative Care Namibia

08/09/2026

Ons innigste simpatie and bede aan die familie en vriende van Oom Flame Burger. Dit was ons voorreg en eer om die laaste lewenspad saam te kon stap by ons Huis Johannesson in Swakopmund 🙏

06/09/2026

The 5 Stages of Palliative Care Explained

Palliative care is about more than the final days of life. It is a person-centred approach that supports patients and their families throughout serious illness, helping people live as comfortably, independently and meaningfully as possible.

Stage 1: Creating a Care Plan — The Stable Stage.
The journey begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. The care team works with the patient and family to develop an individualised care plan that aligns with the diagnosis, treatment goals, personal wishes and quality-of-life priorities.

Stage 2: Emotional & Psychological Support.
A serious illness affects the whole family. Patients and loved ones may experience fear, anxiety, uncertainty, anger or grief. Palliative care provides counselling, emotional support and, where desired, spiritual care to help families navigate these challenges together.

Stage 3: Symptom Management & Supportive Care.
As the illness progresses, symptoms may become more challenging. The focus is on managing pain, fatigue, nausea, breathlessness and other symptoms while helping the patient maintain dignity, independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

Stage 4: End-of-Life Care — The Terminal Stage.
When a patient enters the final phase of life, the focus of care changes. Whether care takes place at home or in an inpatient facility, the priority becomes comfort, dignity and peace. Specialist palliative care supports both the patient and family through this deeply important stage, including 24-hour care when required.

Stage 5: Bereavement & Grief Support.
Palliative care does not necessarily end when a patient dies. Families may continue to need support as they navigate grief and adjust to life after loss. Bereavement counselling, support groups and compassionate follow-up can help loved ones process their grief and find ways to move forward.

Palliative care is not about giving up. It is about adding life to the days, whatever stage of the journey a person may be on.

For more information on palliative care and the services we offer through our House Zietsman (Whk) and House Johannesson (Swk) care facilities, contact [email protected] or 081 953 7740

12/08/2026

Cancer Association of Namibia and our Palliative Care Namibia programme proudly joins forces with Henties Bay Frail Care Association Reg. W0237 to bring this very important and enriching community talk.

Ons sien uit om hande te neem, Hentiesbaai, en saam maak ons die verskil.

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

Today we admitted our 100th patient at House Zietsman in Klein Windhoek.

100 families with whom we have walked either the rehabilitation path, or the final journey on Earth.

It is a blessing 🙏

Thank you for entrusting us with this great responsibility.

05/08/2026

With profound respect and condolences, we honour the life and memory of Mr Bernd Otto Witt.

We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to Mrs Witt, children, grandchildren, and the entire Witt family. May you find comfort in the cherished memories you shared and strength in one another during this difficult time.

Ruh in Frieden, Herr Witt. 🕊️
"Was man tief in seinem Herzen besitzt, kann man nicht durch den Tod verlieren."

01/08/2026

No One Warned Me About the Secondary Losses

When someone dies, we expect to grieve them.

What we don't expect are the dozens—sometimes hundreds—of smaller losses that quietly follow.

No one warned me that I would also grieve...
..having no one to share ordinary moments with.
..losing the person who knew my history better than anyone else.
..making every decision alone.
..holidays that would never feel the same.
..inside jokes that no one else would understand.
..the future we had planned together.
..the sound of hearing my name spoken in their voice.
..the loss of feeling like part of a couple.
..the person I used to be before grief changed me.

These are called secondary losses, and they can be just as painful as the primary loss itself.

They're often invisible to everyone else.

Friends see the funeral is over and assume the hardest part has passed.

But secondary losses keep unfolding...

Weeks later.

Months later.

Even years later.

Each new milestone, holiday, life event, or ordinary Tuesday can uncover another loss you never imagined you'd have to grieve.

If you've ever wondered why your grief seems to keep changing...

Or why you're suddenly devastated by something that seems "small"...

You're not grieving too much.

You're discovering another piece of what was lost.

And that's a normal part of loving someone deeply.

Be patient with yourself.

Grief isn't just learning to live without the person.

It's learning to live with all the losses their absence created. ❤️

28/07/2026

The Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30), through our Palliative Care Namibia programme, is proud to announce that we have secured sustainable funding through our Financial Assistance Programme to admit State cancer patients who would otherwise be unable to access private palliative and hospice care due to the absence of medical aid or health insurance.

Our House Zietsman Care Facility in Windhoek and House Johannesson Care Facility in Swakopmund are both registered Hospice Care Medical Centres, providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.

In addition, House Zietsman offers a specialised General Sub-Acute Care Wing, providing comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of medical conditions beyond cancer.

This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that quality palliative and hospice care is accessible to all Namibians, regardless of their financial circumstances.

For more information or to enquire about our services, please contact our team at [email protected] or call 081 953 7740.

"We extend our sincere appreciation to all our programme partners and donors who have made this vision a reality. Together we CAN inspire hope, activate change, and impact lives," said Rolf Hansen, Chief Executive Officer
Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30).