The Haven of Love Children's Foundation, a non-government organisation, has conducted a cervical and breast cancer screening exercise for approximately 700 women in Zebilla, located in the Bawku West District of Ghana's Upper East Region. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Women's Ministry of the Upper East Region Zone 'B' of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana. The screening is part of the Foundation's efforts to promote preventive healthcare and early detection of cancer among women in underserved communities.
The screening exercise, which was the Foundation's third major outreach of its kind, was conducted by a team of health professionals. The team was led by Madam Monica Lamisi Sadungu, a retired Public Health Nurse, and included Madam Matilda Adaboro and Madam Gladys Ayaaba, Senior Midwives at Timonde Health Centre and Zebilla Hospital respectively. They were supported by Madam Freda Akampoi, a Midwife at Zanlerigu Health Centre. The team collectively screened over 700 women, bringing the total number of women screened by the Foundation to over 1,500 in the region.
Madam Sadungu identified a significant challenge in the Bawku West District, where only three midwives have received specialized training in cervical cancer screening. These midwives have yet to complete all the required modules for comprehensive examination and assessment of suspected cases. As a result, clients with suspected abnormalities often have to be referred to higher-level health facilities for further assessment and management. This highlights the need for more trained midwives and frontline health workers to expand screening and health education services.
Madam Sadungu called on the Regional and National Health authorities to support the training of more midwives and health workers. This would enable them to provide comprehensive screening and health education services at Community-based Health Planning and Services compounds, health centres, and other primary healthcare facilities. The training would help address the shortage of skilled health professionals and improve access to healthcare services in underserved communities.
Mr. Samuel Nana-Bekai Djirackor, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Haven of Love Children's Foundation, commended the Women's Ministry for their collaboration and commitment to promoting women's health. He appealed to corporate organisations, benevolent individuals, and other stakeholders to support the Foundation's efforts to reach more vulnerable people in deprived communities across the country. Mr. Djirackor emphasized that expanding access to healthcare required collective efforts from individuals and institutions.
The partnership between the Haven of Love Children's Foundation and the Women's Ministry of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, underscores the importance of sustained partnerships in promoting women's health. Pastor Mrs. Faustina A. Moore, the Regional Director of the Zone 'B' Women's Ministry, expressed appreciation for the partnership and pledged the ministry's support for future health programmes. The collaboration has made a significant impact in the region, with over 1,500 women screened for cervical and breast cancer.
The Haven of Love Children's Foundation's outreach programme highlights the need for increased training of health professionals and accessible screening services. Key to the success of such initiatives are partnerships between organisations, government agencies, and individuals. Three key points emerge from this initiative: the importance of preventive healthcare and early detection of cancer; the need for more trained midwives and health workers; and the role of partnerships in promoting women's health in underserved communities.
Key points
- Over 1,500 women have been screened for cervical and breast cancer in the region.
- Only three midwives in the Bawku West District have received specialized training in cervical cancer screening.
- The Haven of Love Children's Foundation is calling for support to expand its healthcare initiatives to more vulnerable communities.
