by Dr Nompumelelo Ntshangase and Joslyn Walker
Braving the wind and rain to bring services directly to communities are (from left): M&E Manager at Benedictine Hospital, Mrs Mbatha; Induna Baba Mthethwa; Benedictine Hospital CEO Mrs Zulu, and Dr Nompumelelo Ntshangase, HST's CCPAC Project Manager.
On 22 October 2022, the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Programme (CCPAC) team joined Benedictine Hospital staff to support the Isibhedlela kubantu initiative point in the Ndongane area of Nongoma in Zululand.
Isibhedlela kubantu (isiZulu for 'a hospital for the people') is an outreach campaign focused on bringing basic curative healthcare services to where people live, and is proudly supported by HST teams who are advocates for community-based services.
This outreach day enabled women in Ndongane to be screened for cervical cancer in their own neighbourhood, and to receive related health education and awareness for prevention, early diagnosis, and referral should the need arise.
Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, the CCPAC project is implemented by a consortium of partners comprising the Cancer & Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit (CIDERU), and Genius Quality (GQ) ‒ both of which are affiliated to the University of KwaZulu-Natal ‒ and the Zululand District Department of Health (ZDoH), with HST as the project lead. The project aims to increase access to early screening for women at risk, so that early cervical cancer changes can be detected and deaths from cervical cancer prevented.
The team was excited to finally introduce their new CCPAC mobile clinic to the community. Most women in hard-to-reach rural areas are not able to access health facilities for early cervical cancer screening, and the CCPAC bus brings this crucial service to such areas.
This mobile clinic is customised for conducting a gynaecological examination, with strong overhead lighting and the bed fixed in the middle of the rear space, so that there is ample room for procedures such as Pap smear sampling.
Sr Mthethwa (left) and Sr Mkhize inside the CCPAC mobile clinic.
On the day, this excellent new resource enabled 20 women to have Pap smears done, and to be offered other holistic health services on the spot. The ZDoH team was quick to request ongoing support of this kind, and the bus is now in high demand.
The CCPAC project activities entail screening women for early diagnosis, strengthening specimen-sampling techniques through training and capacity-building, and building referral pathways so that patients diagnosed with cervical cancer have access to lifesaving treatment as quickly as possible.
Women in the Zululand District are in dire need of such a programme, as there is no available facility that treats cancer; clients are referred to Queen Nandi Regional Hospital in Empangeni, located in King Cetshwayo District. Most patients arrive for help when they are in advanced stages of cervical cancer disease, and their quality of life remains poor despite treatment.
The Ndongane community leader, Induna babu-Mthethwa, welcomed and thanked the CCPAC team for coming to his community to offer these services. His leadership, and the support of other Izinduna for the project, are vital for community uptake and the project's success.
Defending sexual and reproductive health rights
Sexual and reproductive health is a human right and is central to our length and quality of life. During the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, it is more important than ever to elevate women's and girls' health rights, as so often, gender-based violence and other forms of intimidation and oppression block access to health care for the most vulnerable.
We should also remember that a woman's cervical cancer diagnosis has an impact on an entire family, household and neighbourhood. As clinicians and healthcare workers, we must use every opportunity to bring healthcare services into communities so that early screening and optimal care can help to save lives.
During this period of advocacy and activism, we celebrate bringing these services to the community – and who knows … tomorrow, our bright blue bus could be in yours.
Dr Ntshangase hands the CCPAC mobile clinic keys to Driver Mlungisi Myeza.