Introducing a sustainable cervical cancer screening and prevention program in Sierra Leone
Economically speaking, Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. Although Sierra Leone is politically stable, the country is still recovering from a civil war. It also suffers from a lack of resources and well-trained personnel, partly due to the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016 in which many well-trained medical professionals died. According to WHO figures, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in the country. However, national guidelines for cervical cancer prevention and screening are lacking.
FCF is working with experienced local partner World Hope International for this project. The project takes place in the town of Makeni and the Bombali district.
Education
An important part of the project is education of the local population. It is essential to address persistent myths about cervical cancer and create more awareness among the local community. We will do this by sharing stories of experience from women who have had cervical cancer. Various media will also be used, such as radio broadcasts. Involving men in education is crucial.
Training
The goal is to train local health workers so that they have the right knowledge and experience to continue screening and further train other health workers through the train-the-trainer model. In addition, involving the local health structures and government in the design and implementation of the project is important so that it can serve as an example for projects they initiate themselves.
Screening and treatment
Women are then screened (and treated) according to the See&Treat method. Here we use the single visit approach as much as possible; if a woman has a positive screening, she is treated immediately, on the spot. Screening will take place at the clinic in Makeni and through a mobile team visiting health centers in rural areas.
The project in Sierra Leone is sponsored by the Church Foundation Franciscan Sisters of Charity.
