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Oct 04
HST’s CCPAC Project raises the alarm on Cervical Cancer in Zululand

By Siyabonga Gema (HST Communications Officer)


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As Cervical Cancer Awareness Month concluded, the Health Systems Trust (HST's) Cervical Cancer Prevention, Access and Control (CCPAC) project embarked on a community awareness and outreach programme in Zululand District and attended the Annual Thusong Service Centre Week organised by the uPhongolo Municipality. This event offered the CCPAC team the perfect opportunity to engage with the local community and render screening and testing services on-site.

 

Funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, CCPAC project is being conducted by HST in Zululand District, KwaZulu-Natal, under the auspices of a consortium comprising HST, the Zululand Department of Health (ZDoH), the Cancer & Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit (CIDERU) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and Genius Quality (GQ). Research conducted by Godfrey at al., which focused on Rural Zulu women's knowledge of and attitudes towards Pap smears and adherence to cervical screening revealed that cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in black women in South Africa and has almost a 60% mortality rate. However, adherence to cervical screening programmes of black women living in rural South Africa is not universal. The CCPAC project aims to bridge the gap that hinders access to cervical cancer prevention services.

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Sr. Khumalo sharing information on the signs of Cervical Cancer with a patient

 

Nurse Clinician for the CCPAC project in Zululand, Sr. Mmama Khumalo, says that one of the biggest challenges is the lack of readily available information on what cervical cancer is, it's signs and symptoms as well as the prevention services available at public health facilities. As a result, the CCPAC team comprises of various role players including Driver Mobilisers who are the 'foot soldiers' – disseminating information and mobilising the community. "Our people are not yet completely aware of the dangers of cervical cancer, especially the older generation, so it's important that as we render services to them, we also educate them. This way, they will also spread the word,'' says Sr. Khumalo. Local authorities also play a major role in sharing information, which is why the CCPAC team have partnered with the local traditional councils and other recognised structures who operate within the communities serviced by HST.

 

As part of the CCPAC project, patients who have undergone tests and are deemed at-risk, or those who present with signs of illnesses linked to cervical cancer are registered and transferred to the project's dedicated Medical Officer for further observation. Sr. Khumalo adds: "We are fortunate that we have a holistic approach, meaning that once a patient has been identified as at-risk, we immediately refer her to our Medical Officer, Dr Shabalala. Also, if there are any psycho-social matters, we do have a team who assists in that regard.''

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CCPAC Medical Officer, Dr Shabalala poses next to one of the CCPAC community outreach buses


Dr. Shabalala, the CCPAC Medical Officer, commented on the linkages of care and collaboration within the CCPAC team. "We work with a diverse team, and it takes communication and building relationships with the team to ensure that we work cohesively and avoid problems. Within the first month, I was already able to work comfortably with the team and the rest of the stakeholders." Dr. Shabalala adds that for this project to continue successfully servicing the rural community of Zululand, building trust is vital: "On my own in personal first encounters with our patients, they see a very young person, but once you start explaining to them that you are here to help them, it puts them at ease. At times, a patient's lack of trust stems from previous bad experiences with other health professionals, but once they see that you are different, they do seem to open up and trust you more. Remember, issues of this nature are highly delicate so its highly important to build that level of trust.''

 

The CCPAC project is currently rolling out community awareness programmes, including engaging the community in radio interviews on two of the biggest community radio stations in Zululand; Nongoma FM and Rise FM. Look out for information and timeslots of the interviews so you can tune in and learn more about the CCPAC project.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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