John Cassim
Imagine hearing that a minibus (kombi) full of women crashes every day, resulting in at least six fatalities.
These are shocking statistics that would compel the Zimbabwean government to act.
One might expect the Zimbabwe Republic Police to establish roadblocks, apprehend reckless drivers, and impound unroadworthy kombis to curb the carnage.
The reality, however, is that Zimbabwe loses six women daily, not to road accidents, but to cervical cancer.
The country does not implement the same drastic measures it would for road accidents because these statistics are not widely publicized and receive minimal media coverage.
While screening services are available, access remains limited due to factors such as lack of awareness, inaccessible healthcare facilities, the discomfort of pelvic examinations, and societal stigma and discrimination.
Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAC), the most common cervical cancer screening method in Zimbabwe, faces its own challenges.
This screening method has an approximate 60% accuracy rate.
“In the past, about 30% of women screened using VIAC and told they were cancer-free later returned with advanced-stage cancer. The screening requires highly trained nurses, but due to fatigue and burnout, signs are sometimes missed, as it is a visual test,” said Dr. Lindelwe Ncube, a biomedical engineer.
Dr. Ncube revealed this during a two-day media workshop organized by the National AIDS Council in Chinhoyi.
Rural women are disproportionately affected due to limited access to cancer screening facilities.
The positive development is that the government has now introduced Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests, which are more accurate, and 200 health facilities are already utilizing this method.
Furthermore, Dr. Ncube has launched the ColpoPen, an artificial intelligence tool designed to enhance the cancer screening process with greater accuracy.
This tool has a 2% margin of error, making it highly sought after in efforts to reduce the cervical cancer burden.
“The aim is to prevent as much as possible,” Dr. Ncube stated.
In 2018, Zimbabwe incorporated the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization program, vaccinating girls under the age of 10 against HPV. However, recent studies indicate that certain HPV variants may not be covered by the current vaccine.
ConserveZim is committed to raising awareness, encouraging Zimbabwean women to undergo testing, and ultimately preventing the progression of all cancers, including cervical cancer.