Global Partners in Care is an affiliate of Hospice Foundation, a South Bend, IN based nonprofit organization. Global Partner in Care is the re-imagined, re-designed, and re-inspired organization that was formerly known as FHSSA (Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa). FHSSA was initially created in 1999, after U.S. hospice leaders had a powerful experience during a professional seminar tou
r of hospices in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The tour highlighted the tremendous impact the burgeoning HIV/AIDS pandemic was having on African hospice leaders and their programs. Many areas had no hospices, and the hospices that did exist were being severely challenged by the urgent need to adapt hospice care to the special needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. With minimal access to pain medication and very few hospice programs, healthcare systems and community members alike were overwhelmed. In order to mobilize a response to the sub-Saharan HIV/AIDS pandemic and support Africa’s hospice and palliative care programs’ ability to provide compassionate care, these U.S. leaders formed The Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA) in 1999. In 2004, FHSSA became an affiliate of the U.S.-based National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). In 2014, NHPCO made the decision to build on the proven model of partnership that had been successful through FHSSA and changed the name to “Global Partners in Care.” Still fully committed to existing partnerships in Africa, Global Partners in Care began expanding its reach based on the increasing need for hospice and palliative care services in other regions of the world. In fact, 80% of the global need for palliative care is in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, treatment of pain is inadequate in low- and middle-income countries. These countries, which represent 83% of world’s population, utilized a mere 8% of total morphine consumption worldwide. In 2017, Global Partners in Care became an affiliate of Hospice Foundation, a South Bend, IN based nonprofit organization.
