By George Mponda
A Belgian medical student, Anais Hublet from Maastricht University under an organisation called Tauli has organised a free cervical cancer screening exercise for women in eight health facilities under the Karonga Diocese to help promote early detection and treatment of the disease.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise on Monday, Hublet said the screening programme, running from June 1 to 19, aims to encourage women to know their cervical cancer status and seek treatment early.
Hublet said cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Malawi because many cases are detected at advanced stages when treatment becomes difficult and expensive.“Women should take advantage of this free screening exercise because cervical cancer often does not show symptoms until it is too late. Early detection saves lives and reduces treatment costs. The disease is killing many women in Malawi and this can be prevented through regular screening,” she said.
Hublet said she became aware of the high number of cervical cancer cases in Malawi and decided to take action after previously visiting the country.
“I learnt that Malawi is registering many cervical cancer cases. Since I had been here before, I contacted Lusubilo Community Care of the Karonga Diocese to help organise this initiative so that more women can access screening services,” she explained.
She added that the programme has been made possible through a grant of 2,000 Euros from a group of gynaecologists in Belgium called CRGLFB.
According to Hublet, the exercise is targeting sexually active women aged between 15 and 65 years.
She also appealed to men to support the initiative by encouraging women in their families and communities to undergo screening.
“Men have an important role to play. They should encourage their wives, sisters and daughters to get screened so that we can reduce deaths from cervical cancer. Many families are losing mothers and leaving behind orphans because the disease is detected too late,” said Hublet.
One of the beneficiaries, Elise Msiska from Mwambuli Village, commended the services, saying it has provided women with an opportunity to access a potentially life-saving service free of charge.
“It is important for women to go for cervical cancer screening because it helps detect the disease early before it becomes serious. Many women fear screening because they do not have enough information, yet it can save lives,” said Msiska.
She further called for intensified awareness campaigns on cervical cancer, saying many people in rural communities are still unaware of the dangers posed by the disease.
The free cervical cancer screening exercise will be conducted at Hope Clinic, Lupembe Health Centre, Mwenilondo Health Centre, St Cynthia Health Centre, St Clara Health Centre, Kaseye Community Health Centre, St Theresa Health Centre and St Annes Community Hospital through the Karonga Diocese health desk.
