In response to the alarming increase in cervical cancer cases in the Greater Masaka, Kitovu Mobile, a non-governmental organisation, is set to launch a comprehensive vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 9 to 15 years in Masaka City, Masaka District, and Kalungu.
Dr Idd Matovu, deputy executive director of Kitovu Mobile, highlighted that approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, making treatment challenging.
To combat this, the organisation plans to implement early screening programs for women aged 22 to 45 years, facilitating timely detection and treatment.
Dr Matovu said the vaccination initiative is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with local health authorities and partners, to address the rising cervical cancer cases in the region.
The African Palliative Care Association has pledged resources to support the success of this campaign.
He confirmed that they are to start with the school on going children who are nine years and above.
Local leaders, including Mulindwa Nakumusana, Mayor of Nyendo-Mukungwe, are urging parents to embrace the vaccination program as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.
The campaign will primarily be conducted in schools, targeting the appropriate age group of school-going children.
Kitovu Mobile, established in 1987 by the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) Sisters, has a long-standing commitment to empowering marginalized communities affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening chronic illnesses.
The organisation offers a range of services, including cancer prevention, palliative care, HIV prevention, and general medical services.
This initiative underscores the critical importance of preventive healthcare measures and early detection in combating cervical cancer, aiming to reduce the disease's prevalence and improve health outcomes for women in the Masaka region.
