Sharon Kapambwe: Frontline Healthworkers’ experience in implementing the cervical cancer elimination initiative in Africa
Sharon Kapambwe, Technical Officer of Cancer Control at the World Health Organization, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Frontline Healthworkers’ experience in implementing the cervical cancer elimination initiative in Africa.
The webinar with frontline health workers in the cervical cancer elimination initiative was very informative.
Started off with Busisiwe Moyo a cervical cancer survivor’ experience with the health system during treatment. The nurses explained the procedures and helped with anxiety management. Sadly she noted that they were overloaded with work and sometimes asking lots of questions seemed selfish.
The frontline health workers gave great insight in the strategies they are using and challenges faced.
HPV vaccination and screening clinics in Cameroon – Mother child approach presented by Manjuh Florence
Cameroon offers gender neutral HPV the nurses in the screening clinics also offer HPV vaccination. They have seen increased uptake in both the screening and vaccination.
They are also offering HPV DNA testing in some clinics as they transition. The women who come for screening and learn about cervical cancer are more willing to bring their children for vaccination.
Integrated services in Kenya by Diviniza Ochwila.
Some of the clinics in Bungoma County offer Integrated services for the women and other patient.
Some challenges noted included long visits due to the increase in the number of interventions offered. Sometimes the nurses are not able to complete all the interventions.
The woman when offered these integrated services are happier because they don’t need to come for other services.
Capacity building by Chalwa Hamusimbi.
Our nurse from Zambia talked about the need for some standardisation of screening methods. Training time and approach are so different even when using the same method. For quality services to be given at least a minimum training time and what is involved must be clearly outlined.
Follow up post training in form of mentorship and supportive supervision. It’s not enough to have South to South Collaboration without follow up.
Skills imparted are lost if not supported. Support to countries by partners within and outside must have a plan in place for follow up.
The last call was a reminder to other providers to always treat women with utmost respect and confidentiality.
The women are the greatest ambassadors for promoting the programs. Thanks to Dr. Mutombo from Congo for sharing on status of treatment for invasive cervical cancer and the challenges.
Prof. Malami from Nigeria summed up the discussion with transition global commitments into action through political engagement. We actually need a dedicated time.”
More posts featuring Sharon Kapambwe.
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ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
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ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
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Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
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OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
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Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023