Cervical cancer strategy launched

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – November 17 2021 marks the anniversary of the day the World Health Organisation launched the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.

The Tlalane Elizabeth Leodi Foundation of Maluti-a-Phofung municipality celebrated this day at Riverside.

Tlalane Leodi has been involved in charity work for almost 20 years; her foundation that is named after her has been chosen by the WHO to spearhead the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the SADC region.

 “This project was launched on the same day in 2020, when 194 countries resolved to make sure that cervical cancer is eliminated. My foundation has partnered with business people and the community of MAP to bring awareness about this health problem,” Leodi said.

Busamed – a private hospital in Harrismith – was part of the event because women’s health is very important to them.

Anchane July, a health care representative from Busamed, said: “Our hospital is part of this event because our hospital offers gynaecological services, like screening and testing women for cervical cancer and just to make sure that the community is aware of our existence as a hospital in this municipality.”

Right to Care representative, Pakiso Mpine, said medical male circumcision helps to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

“Having a partner that has been circumcised helps reduce the risk of women getting cervical cancer. And it also reduces the risk of men contracting HIV by 60 percent,” Mpine said.

The community of Riverside was very delighted to have an event of this magnitude hosted in their backyard. They were grateful to have this type of information come to them instead of always watching such events on television or hearing about them on radio.

Vikelizizwe Health Services, an NPC under the Solidarity Fund, who are in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) for the vaccination drive were also at the event in support of good health practices. Tlholo Victory Funeral Services, owned by renowned businessman Thithe Titi, is one of the stakeholders who partnered with Tlalane Elizabeth Leodi Foundation.