| Project: Obstetrics and Gynecology Location: Moshi, Tanzania – Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Contact: Natalie Cary, Program Coordinator |
Health Volunteers Overseas is thrilled to announce the launch of a new Obstetrics and Gynecology project in Moshi, Tanzania. The new project will seek to enhance the capability of health providers in the Kilimanjaro region to provide “See and Treat” triage for cervical cancer screening across northeastern Tanzania by:
1. Providing informal continuing education to increase knowledge on cervical cancer and its treatment, along with the epidemiology of HPV;
2. Providing didactic, clinical, and combination instruction methods in the areas of visualization with acetic acid (VIA), thermal ablation, and cryotherapy;
3. Helping to standardize patient education regarding screening and prevention of cervical cancer; and
4. Training a trainer at each of the 28 sites who can provide ongoing support for the “See and Treat” approach.
Tanzania is leading in the burden of cervical cancer in East Africa with an estimated age adjusted incidence rate of 54.9 per 100,000 women as compared to the North American rate of 6.9 per 100,000, complicated by the high prevalence of HIV. Without intervention, deaths from cervical cancer will overtake the maternal mortality rate by 2030. As of 2020, 64% of births are attended by skilled personnel and the maternal mortality rate is 238/100,000. In 2011, Tanzania introduced pilot projects to operationalize the World Health Organization’s “See and Treat” approach utilizing visualization with acetic acid (VIA). However, there has not been a concomitant drop in cervical cancer rates.
Volunteers will work to enhance the enhance capability of health providers in the Kilimanjaro region to provide “See and Treat” triage for cervical cancer screening across northeastern Tanzania. Activities for volunteers may include providing didactic, clinical, and combination instruction, as well as helping to standardize patient education on cervical cancer screening and prevention. Volunteers may also participate in the training of trainers who provide ongoing support for the “See and Treat” approach at 28 locations in Tanzania. Interested volunteers should submit the application and necessary paperwork at least 2 months in advance of the travel date.
| SPREAD THE WORD One of our best sources for volunteers and supporters of projects like this is YOU. By sharing this email with your colleagues and friends or posting the new opportunity on your social media sites, you are helping spread the word about the global health worker shortage and letting potential new supporters and volunteers know that their help is needed. Share this webpage with your colleagues or share HVO’s projects on your social media. Here is some sample text for your social media pages (just copy & paste!): HVO has a new OBGYN project in Tanzania! To learn more, visit: hvousa.org/specialty-areas/obstetrics-gynecology |