We were delighted to receive an update from the Rotary Club of Dhaka recently on their Vision 2037 Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programme. The initiative continues to make good progress as screening camps are held around the country.
The Dhaka Club has been working with other Rotary Clubs and Rotaractors around Bangladesh to hold around two screening camps per month. Most recently they organised a Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening event at the General Hospital in a place called Kushtia (jointly with RC Kushtia). Five Rotarians and four Rotaracters participated in the programme (led by President Rotarian Rabbie).
The programme, which our Club has contributed to, was supported by Gyneacological Oncology Society of Bangladesh with three specialists doctors led by Prof Sabera Khatun. Around 80 women attended the programme for screening. Three women tested positive for VIA (a test for early cervical cancer detection which is used in resource limited parts of the world) – in each case a biopsy sample was taken after colposcopy for further testing.
Meanwhile we also had an update from Rotarian Julie Reza, a member of our Club. Spurred on by our support, Julie organised a personal GoFundMe earlier this year. This raised over £1,000; this money has been used towards the cost of purchasing two HTU-110 thermocoagulation units at a cost of US$1,500 each. Thermocoagulation, also called ‘thermal ablation’, is another ablative treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN – abnormal changes in cells that line the cervix). It’s hoped the treatment will help saves lives.
Picture: Announcements are made in the local area encouraging women to attend the screening camp (left). Some of the women waiting to be screened (faces disguised for privacy). Picture credit: Rotary Clubs of Dhaka and Kushtia (right).
