Cervical cancer is the most-common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Tanzanian women: 38.4% of all newly developed cancers in women in 2012; and 80% of women present with advanced-stage cancer.
In 2010, the Tanzanian Government endorsed visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy, and, in 2011, adopted a five-year comprehensive plan to prevent cervical cancer. Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) adopted a regional approach in Tanzania, with plans to roll out “See-and-Treat” programs for cervical pre-cancer to 16 sites across Iringa and Mbeya Regions as well as the Lake Zone (Mwanza and Mara), with plans to add up to 15 more in 2016. The project offers transportation support to Cervical Cancer patients in target regions to allow them to access much needed treatment at ORCI and Bugando medical Centre.
Project Highlights
With support from the Vodacom Foundation, in July 2015 PRRR began an innovative partnership with T-MARC Tanzania and Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT) to transport patients with cervical cancer to Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam for treatment. T-MARC provided bus transport facilitation support for Cervical Cancer Patients from Mbeya, Iringa and Mwanza to Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) and Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) was initiated with the aim of providing transportation services for as many as 439 patients with cervical cancer to travel from their homes to ORCI and BMC under the following objectives: