Women living with HIV have a significantly increased risk of developing cervical cancer. Given the high incidence of HIV in Mozambique, cervical cancer screening and treatment is a high priority for the Ministry of Health. 138 Avante-supported health facilities in Zambézia Province provide high-quality cervical cancer screening and clinical care services. Four referral hospitals now have the capacity to perform loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEP).
The Avante program is implemented by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and its affiliate Friends in Global Health (FGH), working in partnership with the Government of Mozambique (GoM) at the national, provincial, district, health facility and community levels. VUMC/FGH has been working in Zambézia Province since 2006.
Support provided at the health facility and community level:
- Allocation of an increased number of Maternal Child Health (MCH) nurses to supported districts to provide Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening services.
- Continuing training, including the use of WhatsApp training groups and clinical mentoring for healthcare workers on cervical cancer screening and treatment including VIA, cryotherapy, thermoablation, and LEEP.
- Provision of equipment for cryotherapy, thermoablation, and LEEP services, and consumables for sterilization of instruments.
- Provision of hospital furniture and improved infrastructure for cervical cancer screening and treatment services.
Support provided at the provincial level:
- Support to the Quelimane Central Hospital for referral services.
Support provided at the national level:
- Participation in Ministry of Health cervical cancer technical workgroups.