1. MWAZ Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign
Theme: #PreventThroughScreening
Date: January 2025
Locations: Lusaka, Ndola, Katete, Mporokoso, Mongu, Kasempa, Mufumbwe, Solwezi
Background
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women in Zambia, with the country ranked among the top five globally for cervical cancer burden. Despite the availability of screening and preventive services, uptake remains low, especially among women in rural areas and those in the informal sector. Recognizing this gap, the Medical Women’s Association of Zambia (MWAZ), through its Ethics and Advocacy Committee, launched a nationwide campaign in January 2025 to promote cervical cancer awareness and screening services across multiple provinces. The campaign particularly emphasized outreach to women outside Lusaka, including those in remote districts, with the aim of decentralizing MWAZ’s advocacy footprint and expanding the reach of preventive health messaging.
Objectives
1. To raise awareness of cervical cancer in underserved areas, especially outside Zambia’s line of rail, reaching women in the informal sector and rural communities.
2. To reinforce the importance of early detection and prevention in a country facing a high burden of cervical cancer.
3. To enhance MWAZ’s visibility and engagement with its members outside Lusaka, fostering a stronger sense of inclusion and collective purpose.
4. To identify and empower MWAZ focal point members in the provinces to spearhead future health advocacy efforts locally.
Methods
This hybrid campaign combined virtual and physical modalities to maximize reach and engagement. Activities included:
- Health Talks and Community Engagements: In-person cervical cancer awareness sessions were conducted in markets, clinics, and hospitals across targeted districts, accompanied by interactive Q&A sessions.
- Radio Engagements: Local radio stations aired interviews with MWAZ members to reach wider audiences, with live call-in segments allowing for public participation.
- Hospital-Based Outreach: Female healthcare workers were targeted for sensitization and screening at Lewanika General Hospital and Ndola Teaching Hospital.
- March-Pasts and Public Engagements: Awareness marches were held in Ndola and Mongu, drawing attention to cervical cancer and culminating in mobile screening services.
- Webinar: A national online session featuring expert gynecologists provided virtual engagement for MWAZ members and the public, moderated by the MWAZ president.
Key provincial contributions included:
- Mporokoso: Dr. Agnes Mtine participated in a township clinic health talk and Q&A session on 28 January.
- Mufumbwe: Dr. Felisters Kakoma conducted a radio session and a community talk with female vendors at the local market.
- Kasempa: Dr. Mbao Ndlovu collaborated with Kasempa District Hospital for an awareness talk on 29 January and a radio session on 31 January.
- Mongu: MWAZ Western Province engaged Lewanika General Hospital’s female staff for sensitization and screening, and participated in a march past on 4 February with a mobile screening unit.
- Katete: Dr. Suzyo Nkhowani led screening services and community sensitization in partnership with the District Health Office on 1 February.
- Ndola: MWAZ, led by Dr. Jane Mumba, collaborated with Ndola Teaching Hospital Cervical Cancer Department and conducted an awareness program on cancer and its prevention on 6th February 2025 at ZMART Car Park from 08:30 to 15:00 under the theme “United by Unique” which highlighted each person’s unique journey but emphasized the power of collective action. Dr Phelile Zindaba Mwape, Dr Margret Msisha and nurses Wapamenshi, Mwipungu, Kabwe and Sarah were actively involved in the coordination. The activity involved engaging with the people of the community and handing out flyers on the common cancers in our set up such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, kaposis sarcoma etc. We raised awareness among 220+ individuals and distributed over 100+ awareness leaflets. A proportion of individuals, most of whom were men, visited the stand to get an in-depth understanding of some of the cancers. This gave us a chance to use some of the pictorial charts to explain some of the screening procedures offered for various cancers.
This awareness activity had a positive impact on the community. Appreciation was expressed by the people for the information given to them and they were empowered to foster a culture of cancer awareness by sharing the knowledge they acquired with their families and communities.
1 Webinar: Moderated by the President of MWAZ Dr. Joyce Sakala who is an obstetrician gynecologist, with speakers Dr. Mukatimui K. Munalula and Dr. Paul Kamfwa, both gynecology oncologists, heading the largest referral hospital for women and newborns in the country and national cancer coordinator for Ministry of Health, respectively. This virtual session had strong attendance and delivered expert knowledge on cervical cancer prevention.
2
Expected Outcomes
- Increased awareness and knowledge on cervical cancer prevention among women in rural and underserved areas.
- Improved health-seeking behavior, including increased uptake of cervical cancer screening services.
- Strengthened MWAZ presence and coordination across provinces through identification of local focal point persons.
- Greater engagement of MWAZ members nationwide in advocacy initiatives.
- Foundation laid for the formation of structured MWAZ provincial chapters.
Key Messages Delivered
- Cervical cancer is preventable through regular screening and HPV vaccination.
- Screening services are available free of charge in government facilities nationwide.
- Early detection saves lives—every woman should know her cervical health status.
- The role of men as supporters and advocates in cervical cancer prevention is essential.
2. THE MWAZ MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
This program has been running since 2023 with the current cohort being the fourth. This program comprises young career doctors and medical students who are being mentored by senior doctors in various fields of specialization. The current cohort was launched on the 18th of May 2025 and is scheduled to run for 6 months up to November 2025. Currently the program has 16mentors; Dental surgeons, pediatricians, Obstetricians and Gynecologist, Physicians (Neurologists, Infectious Diseases), Public Health specialists, General Practitioners, Senior Resident Medical Officers and Surgeons, who are paired up with 18 mentees with similar interests. Mentees are encouraged to pursue their mentors constantly and keep constant communication both physically and online. These activities are filed in their log books which is one of the requirements to graduate at the end of the program. Additionally, the program encourages participation of both mentors and mentees in monthly webinars which are held in every 3rd week of the month. In conclusion this program has produced many excellent leaders who are currently leading various organizations both locally and internationally, therefore achieving the aims and objectives of the program.
3. ONLINE WEBINARS
From December 2024 MWAZ conducted several webinars for sensitization of members of the public and its members on various issues including;
- Cervical cancer screening and prevention
- Oral Health and mental disorders
- Endometriosis awareness
- Autism awareness
- Bloating, flatulence and ‘gases’
FUTURE PLANS
- MWAZ Leadership training for some selected members will commence in September 2025 in collaboration with the Manchester Review Board
- MWAZ strategic plan launch and AGM to be hosted in 3rd and 4th quarter of 2025 respectively
- A delegation of more than 20 Zambians is expected to attend the MWIA Triennial congress in Egypt in October 2025
Some of the visitors during the cervical cancer campaign visiting our stands, receiving screening services and education materials, and team members offering various services