St. Albert’s Mission Hospital opened a new and larger outpatient department (OPD) in February. The building and furnishings were purchased with support from Rock No War! and other Italian NGOs.
The new Outpatient Department building at St. Albert's Mission Hospital houses the hospital's cervical cancer prevention clinic. Photo: Darrell E. Ward, March 2013.
Room 8 of the OPD houses St. Albert’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Project, which has been established with help from Better Healthcare for Africa through a grant from the Sarita Kenedy East Foundation and contributions from BHA donors.
“Room 8 has become a popular room for the women,” says St. Albert’s director Dr. Julia Musariri. “There is always a long queue.”
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in Zimbabwe and surrounding countries. It develops in or around the opening of womb, an area that is called the cervix.
Walkway to Outpatient Department, St. Albert's Mission Hospital. Photo provided by St. Albert's Mission Hospital, June 2014.
Women who come to the clinic are examined for early changes on the cervix that might lead to cancer. The early changes consist of patches of abnormal cells that if left untreated could lead to cervical cancer. Detecting the altered cells early and removing them before they become cancerous prevents the disease.
The examination is done using a method called Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera (VIAC), which is recommended by the World Health Organization. The altered cells are usually removed using a method called cryotherapy, or another method called LEEP.
Outpatient Department patient check-in area, St. Albert's Mission Hospital. Photo provided by St. Albert's Mission Hospital, June 2014.
Entrance to VIAC clinic, St. Albert's Mission Hospital. Photo provided by St. Albert's Mission Hospital, June 2014.
