URDT and Ministry of Health conducts quality support supervision and mentoring for the January-March quarter under Training of Trainers (TOT) project in Bunyoro sub region.
The improved service uptake and involvement of women in cervical cancer services was revealed by Dr. Apollo Kalanzi the officer in charge of reproductive health from the ministry of health Uganda during quarterly support supervision and mentoring of trainers in cervical cancer management in Kagadi and Kakumiro districts.
The program that lasted five days began on 8th May 2023 and was conducted in the ten implementing health facilities of Bwikara HCIII, Isunga, Kinyarugonjo, Kyakabadiima, Kiryanga and Kagadi general Hospital in Kagadi district, Kisiita HCIII, Nalweyo HCIII, Kakindo HCIV and Kakumiro HCIV in Kakumiro district, with 20 trainers.
Ministry of Health and URDT at Kakumiro Health Center IV in support supervision
Dr. Apollo says URDT has done a tremendous work in providing cervical cancer screening services to women which has greatly improved health among people in their communities.
According to the research findings; there has been an Improvement in service delivery since both HIV positive and negative mothers equally receive cervical cancer screening services, Improved Data and reporting since it’s currently reflected in the ministry of health dash board, an increase in Male involvement, VHTs engagement in mobilizing and sensitizing the community, Integrated outreaches, Referrals from the community to facilities among others
During a review of the support supervision of the project after six months of implementation, it was recommended to involve the Village Health Teams (VHTs) into the project to play a role of community mobilization and sensitization, follow up the treated and referred women in the communities which has really worked.
Ms Lucy N Kansiime the project coordinator says the project started in July 2022 and will be ending in June 2024 with financial support from Female Cancer Foundation (FCF). Since 2017 URDT has been implementing cervical cancer prevention and control projects in Kagadi district and currently in Kakumiro.
She says the main aim is to enable women access cervical cancer services in their respective localities in both districts. The project visualize to train 120 Health Workers with competence in cervical cancer management, 7,500 women access cervical cancer screening services, 20, 000 people consciously aware of cervical cancer control and prevention techniques, 90% of precancerous women treated at least in the same visit, 5% women will be referred for further management by June 2024.
During the support supervision, URDT supplied Health facilities with relevant equipment and tools required for cervical cancer screening and management.
“We shall continuously support the community in health, education and development to have communities transformed” Lucy said.
Mr. Edward Sabiti the district health officer Kakumiro applauded URDT for the exceptional services provided in the district and requested them to fundraise more and consider cancer of the Breast since it’s increasing in the country. He also asked URDT to improvise with Ministry of Health and provide prostate cancer services to men. This will improve male involvement in supporting women to attain cervical cancer services.
Tumwebaze J. Aisha the district health educator Kagadi also commended URDT for the great services of cervical cancer and asked them to create an in-depth
Edward Sabiti and Tumwebaze Aisha attending debrief meetings of Kakumiro and Kagadi respectively