An exciting thing for women happened in Zambia on the 4th of July this year – the announcement of the designation of the African Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cancer Control! The aim of the Centre is to significantly reduce deaths rates from cancer of the cervix and breast in the African region. They will raise awareness, promote prevention and early detection, and expand treatment reach through improved education, training and research so that these cancers can be detected at the early stages when they can still be stopped. The African Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cancer Control is borne of the CIDRZ Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia which was established in 2006 to tackle the heavy burden of cervical cancer in Zambia and the region. A Ministry of Health-led initiative, the African Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cancer Control represents collaboration between Zambia’s University Teaching Hospital, CIDRZ, Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba unveiling the plaque with ex-US President Mr George Bush and Mrs Laura Bush.
Mr Bush with Cervical Cancer Prevention Nurses, Muyunda Pepino and Besnart Ng'andu, with Dr Sam Chileshe OB/Gyn Specialist, UTH