The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) has emphasised the importance of providing women with accurate information about cervical cancer prevention, testing, and treatment options.

Speaking at a recent training workshop for Western Province health workers held in Mongu District, CIDRZ Quality Improvement Nurse Mentor Justina Chanda said counselling during cervical cancer screening is crucial in helping women make informed decisions about their health.

“Counselling is not just about sharing information. It creates a safe space for women to ask questions and express concerns. When a woman receives a Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) positive test result, it is essential that she fully understands her treatment options, including thermal ablation, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) or biopsy,” she said.

She said this approach helps women make informed decisions about their health and encourages proactive engagement in their screening and treatment processes.

CIDRZ, with funding from PEPFAR through CDC Zambia, recently supported the Ministry of Health in training health workers from local facilities in Western Province through a comprehensive competency-based cervical cancer screening programme.