In Madagascar, cervical cancer screening is on the rise in the villages
In Mahambo in the East of the country, women's enthusiasm for cervical cancer screening thanks to capacity building for health workers and community awareness
"I left aside all the field works planned for today in order to come here," says Dimache, 46 and mother of four children, two of whom are already adults and two are still in school.
That day, the capacity building practical session for health workers in the region is held at the basic health centre (CSB) of Mahambo, in the east of Madagascar. The session is about the management of sexual violence and prevention of cervical cancer by VIA/cryotherapy (Visual inspection with acetic acid, followed by treatment of cervical abnormalities by cold if necessary). The surrounding population had been informed and sensitized to cervical cancer screening.
"The community agent in our village, Odette, informed us and told us to come to the CSB to get tested. She is very active, informs us and always keeps us informed about many things," says Dimache with a big smile. "After all, it's not every day that an opportunity like this arises. Our fields will always be there, but this kind of activity so close to home does not happen as often as it does," she continued.
At the same time, the health workers who attended the training were all delighted with the mass attendance of women for this screening activity. While some were raising awareness and informing a group of women, the others handled the preliminary questionnaire by filling out the forms before receiving each woman for screening.
"We were afraid we wouldn't find anyone who wanted to get tested at the CSB today," most of the health workers said; "so, it's a great relief for us; and we really needed this training topic."
This capacity building for health workers from all the districts of the region could be carried out within the framework of the first 1000 days’ project funded by TAKEDA.
