Cervical Cancer Screening

Problem Statement

The report on cancer burden in North Eastern states of India by NCDIR (Under ICMR) 2017 highlights that the common causes of cancer among women in Manipur are Breast, Lung and Cervix, with cervical cancer constituting about 9.2% of the total cases.

Programme Description

The Health and Wellness Centres are expected to provide expanded range of services at HWCs which include services related to Non-Communicable diseases, Mental health, ENT, Opthalmology, Oral health, Geriatric and palliative health care etc, in addition to the existing services (RCH and communicable diseases). As part of this effort, universal screening of common NCDs and cancers (Hypertension, Diabetes, Oral cancer, Breast cancer and Cervical cancer) has also been rolled out as the first step. As per guidelines, screening of all individuals over 30 years of age for Diabetes, Hypertension, Oral and Breast Cancer are undertaken at SHC level while screening for Cancer cervix through Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid has been planned at PHCs.

In order to improve the coverage of cervical cancer screening and provide skill-based training to Community Health officers in VIA, the training was conducted at identified SHC- HWCs of Thoubal and Imphal West District by trained Gynecologists or trained Medical Officer. Training of CHOs at HWC-SHC level and MOs at HWC-PHC level was conducted once in three to four months.Women were mobilized to the HWCs for screening on a fixed day where the trainers conducted VIA screening and provided hands ontraining to CHOs of the SHC- HWCs. In addition, MOs of the linked PHC were also trained during this sessionto provide mentoring support to CHOs for VIA screening.

Programme Outcomes

The initiative contributed in building skills of CHOsand strengthening screening of cervical cancer at SHC- HWC level. Subsequent to the training at HWCs of five Imphal West and eight Thoubal, the CHOs have started conducting VIA screening on fortnight basis. The VIA positive patients are referred to District hospital NCD clinic for further management.

Scalability

Since the hands-on training of CHOs and screening on cervical cancer at SHCHWCs through CHOs relies on use of existing trained manpower, it is scalable in other districts. However, it would require active collaboration from different sections of the Health Department.

Implementation Partners

NHM (Manipur)

Financial Implications

This financial implication of this Programme in the state and districts was for conducting awareness Programme at the HWC level and Training of HR for VIA at HWC costing Rs. 20,000/- per session of 10-15 health staffs.

Source : National Health Mission