The Cure Cervical Cancer Organisation has partnered with the County Government of Vihiga to roll out the third phase of the cancer screening programme in Hamisi Sub-County.
The exercise, which targets 13,000 women, is funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Africa and focuses on home-based screening and treatment services aimed at improving early detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer.
By leveraging existing community health structures, the programme brings life-saving services directly to women in rural villages.
According to the cure Cervical Cancer programme officer Dorcas Opiayo, the first and second phases of the programme were successfully implemented in Luanda Sub-County, where more than 10,000 women aged between 25 and 49 years were screened.
The first phase reached about 4,000 women, while the second phase covered approximately 8,400, slightly below the initial target of 10,000 in 2025.
In Hamisi Sub-County, health teams have now mapped out over 13,000 women for screening under the ongoing phase.
Cure Cervical Cancer Programme Officer Dorcas Opiayo said the Organisation is currently conducting community education forums and training various cadres including clinicians, nurses, and community health promoters, to strengthen service delivery.
“The screening is done through door-to-door outreach. Results are shared via mobile phones, and women who test positive for HPV are invited for mobile outreach clinics where they receive free treatment,” said Opiayo.
Women who test positive are offered treatment at established community health unit outreach sites, ensuring timely care and follow-up.
Through the Department of Health Services, Cure Cervical Cancer is also training Community Health Promoters and healthcare workers on cervical cancer prevention, disease pathology, screening, data management, and treatment procedures.
The training includes the use of the CommCare application, thermal ablation disinfection, and post-treatment counselling.
In addition, the programme has intensified community sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness on cervical cancer prevention and the importance of early screening.
Upon completion of the ongoing training, the team will embark on mass screening targeting women of reproductive age across the sub-county.
The programme, which began in February 2025, is expected to expand to other sub-counties in Vihiga, enabling more women to access quality, free cervical cancer screening and treatment services.
By Rose Wasike
