Cervical cancer is a serious health issue caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths recorded in 2022. Despite its severity, cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable if detected early.
In a bid to combat this silent threat, the Rotary Club of Accra East, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA and collaborating with 53 additional Rotary Clubs in District 9104, 3 Rotaract Clubs and One Interact Club has officially launched the ‘Protect Your Pearl’ Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Programme at the Usher Hospital in Jamestown, Accra. The initiative underscores the club’s commitment to ensuring that every woman in Ghana has access to preventive healthcare.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Ghana. Studies have shown that early detection and treatment significantly reduce mortality rates. The name of the initiative, ‘Protect Your Pearl,’ symbolizes the immense value of a woman’s health. Just as a pearl is rare, precious, and deserving of protection, so too is every woman’s well-being. Through this initiative, the Rotary Club of Accra East aims to empower women with the necessary tools to protect themselves against cervical cancer.
Speaking at the launch, District Governor Florence Maame Hagan emphasized Rotary’s unwavering dedication to healthcare and community service. She stated, “Rotary was founded on a simple yet powerful idea—that when people of action come together, we can change the world, our communities, and ourselves. Today, we are doing just that. For over a century, Rotary has been at the forefront of fighting diseases, providing clean water and sanitation, improving maternal and child health, supporting education, growing local economies, and promoting peace. We firmly believe that access to quality healthcare should not be dictated by geography or financial status. It is a right, not a privilege.”
The President of the Rotary Club of Accra East, Dorothy Ametefe, in an interview with GhanaNewsOnline, highlighted the motivation behind the initiative. “Today, as we launch the ‘Protect Your Pearl’ project, we reflect on a journey that began years ago when we realized that cervical cancer is prevalent in Ghana, yet treatment remains low. In 2023, we secured a global grant worth $75,000 from the Rotary Foundation, which enabled us to purchase 50 thermal coagulators used in the treatment of cervical cancer.”
She further disclosed that these devices were donated to the Catholic Hospital of Battor, whose cervical cancer center trained 50 additional nurses and redistributed the devices across the country. “As we speak today, these devices are available in all 16 regions of Ghana,” she added.
The launch of the ‘Protecting Your Pearl’ initiative marks a significant step in the fight against cervical cancer in Ghana. It reinforces the importance of early detection, treatment, and awareness in ensuring the health and well-being of women nationwide.
Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline