Some residents of Chinsali district in Muchinga province have called on the Ministry of Health to intensify the sensitisation programmes on cervical cancer screening.
Nelious Nanyangwe, a resident of Chinsali said information regarding cervical cancer screening has not been effectively disseminated to many women in the district.
Ms. Nanyangwe told ZANIS in an interview that information on the importance of cervical cancer screening is limited, adding that there is need to intensify sensitisation programmes to the community.
She stated that cervical cancer is a serious health concern among women.
“I also wish to encourage women to go for screening so that they are able to know before it is too late,” she said.
And Fridah Nanyangwe, another Chinsali resident, has urged her fellow women to take keen interest in learning about health matters, especially those regarding cervical cancer.
“I went for screening and was advised to visit the hospital every after one year for another screening,” she said.
Ms. Nanyangwe also said there is also a need for a mindset change towards important health matters.
Meanwhile, Chola Kumwenda says the Ministry of Health should devise strategies of reaching out to many communities and provide enough information on cervical cancer.
“Many people in villages are dying because they do not know much about this disease which can be treated when detected on time,” she stated.
And Muchinga Province Health Director, David Silweya, disclosed that the Ministry of Health has resumed an exercise targeting to vaccinate about 90 percent of women and girls against cervical cancer in the province.
Dr. Silweya said the cervical cancer interventions, sensitisation and screening exercises are underway in all parts of the province with many clinics actively rendering the services.
“We did not reach our target but we are hoping to reach out to women and young girls across the province,” he said.
And Bwalya Musonda, a nurse at Chinsali district hospital has encouraged women to step forward in screening for cervical cancer.
“We teach our clients on cervical cancer before they are screened and receive treatment,” she added