Eswatini: Thandeka Maziya

Eswatini: Council campaign for breast and cervical cancer screening.

We aim to integrate cervical cancer screening and treatment services into HIV and sexual and reproductive health services. HIV platforms are ready-made entry points for low-cost cervical cancer services and wider health service coverage for young women and girls.

An awareness event was held in October at Malkerns Country Club we touched on; HIV, GBV, unpack the SODV Act, and (NCDs). The event was preceded by an aerobics exercise then sensitizations on the above mentioned topics were conducted. Screenings on HIV/AIDS, Breast cancer, Cervical cancer, Glucose as well as BMI was done. The likelihood that a woman living with HIV will develop invasive cervical cancer is up to five times higher than for a woman who is not living with HIV. The overall risk of HIV acquisition among women is doubled when they have had a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To save a woman’s life by ensuring that she has access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV, yet she dies from cervical cancer, is unacceptable. The main focus is on breaking down silos and building bridges between HIV and cervical cancer programmes because we know that synergies save lives.

ACTIVITIES

An important lesson learned from the AIDS response is that civil society and communities have to be at the centre. Networks of women living with HIV and women’s rights and youth movements are formidable allies. They have fought for an AIDS response rooted in human rights, social justice and sexual and reproductive health and rights and can mobilize, advocate and create demand for services. Civil society must also keep us on track to end stigma and discrimination, including in health-care settings. Communities can also provide direct services for HIV, cervical cancer and other diseases. And, through building and maintaining relationships with other health workers in the community, you may be able to partner on health initiatives that allow you to reach new audiences. Using these community volunteers to mobilise information and all our media platforms to mobilise the event. We used our website, Facebook page, radio, flyers, and health talks to sensitize the community on this campaign.

RESULTS AND OUTCOMES

The anticipated participation was not achieved. We can achieve improved health outcomes, mobilize demand for services, reach people with services difficult to reach with formal health systems, support health systems strengthening, mobilize political leadership, change social attitudes and norms, and create an enabling environment that promotes equal access. This could be sustained with increased community participation. There is a lot that needs to be done to get the community to get used to these kinds of interventions. This includes; the actual acknowledgement of service s provided in the town, utilising those services and behaviour change.