(Gbarnga, Bong County, October 21, 2025) — The Non-Communicable Disease and Injuries (NCDI) Unit of the Ministry of Health has conducted a refresher training for previously trained health workers in cervical cancer screening using the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) method at the C.B. Dunbar Hospital in Gbarnga, Recognizing the critical role of cervical cancer screening in achieving the Ministry of Health’s National Cancer Agenda and the World Health Organization (WHO) 90–70–90 global strategy targets by 2030, the WHO Country Office provided technical and logistical support to strengthen the capacity of the trained providers to resume active screening services.
A total of eleven (11) healthcare professionals, including registered nurses (RNs), registered midwives (RMs/BSMs), certified midwives (CMs), physician assistants (PAs), and OB clinicians, participated in the training.
Facilitated by the NCDI Unit of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO, the training included practical sessions led by doctors from C.B. Dunbar Hospital, where participants gained hands-on experience in identifying cervical lesions.
The training adopted the “Screen and Treat” approach, ensuring that cases beyond the hospital’s capacity are referred to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) for further management. Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess participants’ knowledge before and after the training.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Jamesetta T. Smith, Director of the NCDI Unit, expressed gratitude to WHO for its support, which included essential supplies such as gloves, speculums, acetic acid vinegar, ring forceps, and other screening materials.
She emphasized to the hospital’s medical team that, now equipped with enhanced knowledge and adequate tools, they are expected to fully implement the cervical cancer screening program and report results to contribute to the national cancer registry.
Receiving the supplies, Dr. Moses Beyan, Medical Director of C.B. Dunbar Hospital, thanked the Ministry of Health and WHO for their continued partnership and pledged the hospital’s commitment to ensuring the program’s effective implementation.