This blog is authored by Rosemary Kombo who is a full-time employee of International Medical Corps, Nairobi, Kenya.
Just What We Need Most … Cure Cervical Cancer
Women in Kenya like in many other developing countries, suffer from very high rates of cervical cancer due to lack of an adequate screening program to detect and treat precancerous lesions of the cervix. There are so many women in our communities who do not know what cervical cancer is or whether there is any option of screening. By the time they get to a health facility, it is too late for them and yet cervical cancer is the most preventable form of cancer if detected early.
I was excited about the “see and treat” initiative of CCC because the long waiting period for cervical cancer treatment is a significant factor for survival rates in Kenya. It was amazing to see how over 15 health service providers were all eager to learn the cryotherapy technique. The attention accorded to the theory session was intense. The response to screening from the women of the Kibera slum community and female inmates just deserved one word … wow! Their beaming faces reflected the access they had to health services which is a right for all irrespective of their status. The CCC team lead by Dr. Gordon was incredible.
Talking to one of the nurses trained on what she had to say about the training, her response was “Interesting! How much does this equipment cost? This is what we need for our people.” that just summed it up.
Thank you for reaching out to the Langata female community, staff and family. Your donation of the cryotherapy equipment and training of health service providers will go a long way while you are gone to save the lives of as many women as will be lucky to access the health facility on time. You are angels without wings. Your support shows that no woman need die from this preventable disease. God bless you all.
Rosemary Teresa Ayiera Kombo
Program Officer
International Medical Corps
Kenya