EIKWE Cervical Screen & Treat Project
Cervical cancer is a disease of major public significance, with almost 70% occurring in developing countries and is the commonest female cancer. An estimated 570,000 new cases are diagnosed, and about 311,000 women die unnecessarily from cervical cancer worldwide every year. Women with cervical cancer often present in an advanced stage of the disease, where palliation is the only treatment option. This makes treatment ineffective and very expensive. It is in this regard that ACO has collaborated with St. Martin de Porres Hospital to promote cervical cancer prevention in the Western Region of Ghana.
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Background
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana, particularly in underserved regions like Eikwe in the Western Region of Ghana. Despite its preventability, limited access to screening and early treatment has contributed to late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes. St. Martin de Porres Hospital has initiated efforts to address this gap, and the African Cancer Organisation (ACO) is partnering to strengthen and scale these services.
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Problem Statement
Women in the Western Region of Ghana face significant barriers to cervical cancer prevention, including:
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Lack of awareness and education
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Limited screening infrastructure
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Inadequate treatment options for precancerous lesions
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Shortage of trained healthcare personnel
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Financial and logistical constraints
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Project Goal
To reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the Western Region by establishing a sustainable, community-based screening and treatment centre at Eikwe, while integrating breast cancer early detection and outreach missions.
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Project Objectives
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Train healthcare providers in VIA screening and thermocoagulation treatment.
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Screen at least 5,000 women within the first two years.
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Provide same-day treatment for eligible cases.
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Conduct community education campaigns on cervical and breast cancer.
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Establish a referral system for advanced care.
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Key Activities
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Conduct baseline needs assessment and stakeholder mapping.
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Procure essential medical equipment.
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Organise training workshops for clinical staff.
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Launch mobile and facility-based screening services.
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Develop and distribute culturally appropriate educational materials.
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Monitor and evaluate program outcomes.
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Expected Outcome
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Increased awareness and participation in cancer screening.
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Improved early detection and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions.
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Strengthened local capacity for cancer prevention.
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Reduced the burden of late-stage cervical and breast cancer in the region.
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Target Beneficiaries
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Women aged 25–65 in Eikwe and surrounding communities.
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Local healthcare providers and community health workers.
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Sustainability Strategy
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Integrate screening into routine hospital services.
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Train local trainers for ongoing capacity building.
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Advocate for inclusion in regional health plans and funding streams to ensure equitable access to healthcare.
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Possible internally generated funding is being explored.
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Possible integration in the Ghana National Health Insurance Program
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Key Project Staff
