Kampala, Oct 25 – At least 2,400 women are dying in Uganda from cervical cancer annually with more than 3,500 diagnosed with the disease, which has become Uganda’s leading killer of women.
This was revealed by Zach Akinyemi, executive director of the Programme for Accessible Health Communication and Education (PACE), a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) which implements programmes aligned to the ministry of health
Akinyemi was speaking when donating equipment for early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous cells on the cervix here Wednesday.
A total of 20 sets of cryo therapy machines were given to 20 private health centres on the ProFam network in different parts of the country. Another 20 machines will be donated by the end of this year.
These clinics will act as referral centres for others which do not have the equipment for early detection and treatment of the disease, Akinyemi said.
Prior to this, the country had only 15 cryo therapy machines in 14 government referral hospitals and one health centre in Nakasongola.
PACE said it is targeting at least 170,000 women for early screening and treatment over the next four years. Each of the five regions of Uganda will get eight machines which will enable easier access and cheaper screening and treatment.
Irene Mwesige of Joy Medical Centre, Ndeeba, said the machines will greatly boost the fight against cervical cancer in the country.
– Bernama
