In Malawi, cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer
among women of a reproductive and economically important age (45.4% of
female cancers), with an 80% mortality, with numbers projected to
increase over the next two decades.
There are currently no national programmes for cervical cancer
prevention through immunisation or screening, contributing to the high
burden of mortality: many women now survive childbirth only to die later
of preventable cervical cancer. Inadequate access to treatment,
ostracisation of women with severe symptoms of cervical cancer, and
limited palliative care services are additional features.
The project will work out of Nkhoma hospital in Malawi and builds on
an existing Scottish Government funded project of the Global health
Academy which is working with the hospital and its 9 health centres to
create a continuum of care throughout pregnancy and birth.