Screening for Cervical Cancer

Mary Mungwere, a dedicated Village Health Worker (VHW) in Ringari Village, Makonde District, is making a significant impact in the fight against cervical cancer in her community. Since receiving training for cervical cancer screening using HPV DNA testing in November 2023, Mary has mobilized her community through door-to-door interactions, resulting in 75 women being screened in her community alone.

One of the beneficiaries, 42-year-old Maroro Nyumbwe, shared her story of early detection thanks to Mary’s efforts. Maroro’s positive test results led to further tests confirming her diagnosis, highlighting the importance of early screening.

Umboe Clinic, where Mary is attached, is part of a pilot program aimed at enhancing screening services in rural areas. Dr. Celestino Dhege, the Provincial Medical Director for Mashonaland West, emphasized the importance of decentralized services to village levels through trained VHWs.

Recently, the clinic hosted a visit from the Minister of Health and a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters to assess the country’s progress in cervical cancer elimination. Despite the challenges, Zimbabwe has made commendable strides in its response to cervical cancer, with an HPV vaccination program and expanded screening services.

The visit by the WHO HQ NCDs team marks a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s fight against cervical cancer, with a focus on scaling up interventions and expanding access to life-saving services. Collaboration with international partners and advocacy for pledged funds present opportunities to eliminate cervical cancer in Zimbabwe by 2030.

Mary Mungwere’s dedication and the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals and international partners are crucial in the fight against cervical cancer in Zimbabwe, ensuring that more women have access to screening and early detection services.