Zim begins cervical cancer self-testing

Talent Gore

ZIMBABWE has commenced cervical cancer self-testing with authorities saying the kits will be distributed to all hospitals.

Women, who attended the programme over the weekend, said the self-testing kits were a comfortable method of screening.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Zimbabwe.

The HPV self-sampling testing kits, which are easy, painless, convenient, affordable and private, are expected to improve screening for the disease in the country.

National Aids Council chief executive officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, revealed that the self-testing kits will be distributed to all hospitals in Zimbabwe.

“HPV DNA testing is actually a self-test but it needs a health facility for confirmation and we have targeted 500 women to get tested at this three-day free testing drive,” he said.

“HPV DNA testing is actually a gold standard for cervical cancer screening and we want the test to be done at rural health centres.

“We are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with the Diagnostics Medical Suppliers and a company called Population Services for Health.

“We have secured 15 machines called point of care machines and we are targeting all Zimbabwe hospitals to have a machine,” he said

Women, who got tested for cervical cancer, said the new self-testing kits are comfortable and easy to use.

“It’s sort of like a stick with a brush at the top and what you do is you put it through your private parts, it’s not painful, irritating,” said a woman who identified herself as Miriam Vhonga..

“Even a granny in the rural areas can use it by herself.

“The experience was completely comfortable and painless and my last experience of cancer screening was very uncomfortable and painful because they used metal to carry out the screening.”