Embu, Beyond Zero join hands to fight cervical and breast cancer

Embu County government has entered into a three-year partnership programme with Beyond Zero Foundation in the fight against cervical and breast cancer.

Through the programme dubbed ‘Beyond Zero Cervical Cancer Management Project’,  the county plans to conduct extensive cervical and breast screening awareness and treatment outreaches.

County CEC for Health Jamal Runyenje said during the first year, the focus would be in Ruguru Ngadori, Nginda and Gaturi North wards of Mbeere North Subcounty where they target to reach 5, 000 women.

Runyenje said the programme would be centred at Kairuri Level Three Hospital where they would offer screening services, treatment, referral and linkage services as appropriate to the target population.

Speaking on Saturday during the signing of the MOU at the facility, Runyenje said they aimed at building the capacity of healthcare providers for them to get the skills to offer screening and treatment services.

The CEC said they wanted them to be equipped to offer continuous education, and sensitisation of Community Health Promoters and the community on prevention and control.

“Through the acceleration of these activities and with support from partners, our ultimate goal is to eliminate cervical cancer in Embu by 2030,” he said.

Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo who was the chief guest during the event termed the initiative as timely and critical as it would go a long way in addressing the devastating effects cervical cancer has had on women in the county.

He said the burden of cervical cancer was particularly heavy in rural areas where access to screening and treatment remained limited.

Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women.

“This is why today’s launch is very critical. It is about saving lives, preserving families and ensuring that no woman in Embu has to face this battle alone,” Mugo said.

He said the county would work towards ensuring women have access to the HPV vaccine which was the most effective tool in preventing cervical cancer.

As of July 2024, 68 per cent of girls aged between 9-15  had received the HPV vaccine according to county statistics, 26.8 per cent of women aged 25-49 screened and 32.3 per cent of those found with precancerous lesions treated.

Beyond Zero Foundation representative Jane Kiragu said CHPs would be very instrumental in this project in reaching out to women at the grassroots with messages on the importance of prevention and regular screening.

One of the partners, Kilele Health Association, has been running a similar programme dubbed 'Thamani Yetu' in the county.

The organisation's  Executive Director Benda Kithaka said the disease was 100 per cent preventable if detected early and thus there was a need to do more advocacy to make families aware of risk factors, prevention elements, access to screening and treatment.

The director said they also hoped to build a team of survivors to act as navigators to people in need of further treatment, and follow-ups,  inspire hope and engage communities for cancer prevention.