CureCervicalCancer trains 22 new healthcare providers in “See & Treat” in Kisumu, Kenya

Trainees, facilitators, and the CCC team gather for a group debrief before a day of screening

CureCervicalCancer completed a successful weeklong “See and Treat” training program for 22 healthcare providers from 12 facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya. We began the week with didactics, where trainees were given a lecture by Dr. Sharon Blosk and Dr. Chemtai Mungo, who joined us from UCSF, on the pathophysiology of cervical cancer. We were joined by Dr. Ganda, the gynecology oncologist of Kisumu County from the counties largest referral hospital, JOOTRH. Trainees also practiced see and treat skills in mock clinic stations including performing cryotherapy and thermocoagulation on a piece of chicken, patient counseling, patient documentation and referral, clinic hygiene.

Dr. Sharon Blosk and Dr. Chemtai Mungo review cervical cancer pathophysiology and prevention with trainees.

Migosi Sub-County Hospital hosted our four-day practicum. Trainees were given a chance to practice their skills in a clinic setting in a four-day practicum. In just four days trainees screened 405 women and treated 15 women with thermocoagulation and 15 women with cryotherapy.

Community health workers registering women to be screened and providing a cervical cancer awareness and prevention talk before the woman sees the health care provider.

Throughout practicum, trainees were taught by six expert Kenyan health care providers who were previously trained by CureCervicalCancer and have been engaged throughout our projects as mentors. The CCC community health nurse, Lilian, took a lead role in coordinating the training. Nurse Lilian currently manages the “See and Treat” CureCervicalCancer project in seven facilities and now we have expanded to a total of 11.

Nurse Lilian guides a trainee through the thermocoagulation procedure

Trainee Lornah from a partnering “See and Treat” facility collects a thorough patient history. Many woman come with a variety of gynecological concerns. By taking a comprehensive history, the “See and Treat” trainees are able to provide wholistic care, encouraging patient interaction with the local healthcare system.

CureCervicalCancer dedicates the Patricia Gordon MD Clinic to Muhuroni Subcounty’s “See & Treat” Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. Pictured from the left to right is Nurse Lilian, Benjamin Gordon, Dr. Patricia Gordon. The lovely trainees on the right are Collins and Emily who will be leading the “See & Treat” Program in Muhuroni Subcounty.

CCC dedicates the Len Hill Charitable Trust Board Members Clinic to Pap Onditi’s “See & Treat” Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. Pictured from the left to right are Fatuma, Nurse Lilian, Dr. Patricia Gordon, and Charles. Fatuma and Charles are now certified “See & Treat” healthcare providers who will spearhead their home institution’s “See & Treat” program in Pap Onditi Subcounty of Kisumu County, Kenya.

The training culminated with the graduation with the certification of each trainee to conduct “See and Treat” in their own facility. CureCervicalCancer and KMET (a Kenyan nonprofit ground partner) will continue to collaborate and support these 11 facilities to build a strong foundation of a sustainable cervical cancer prevention program.