First-lady commends the private sector
Johannesburg, Feb 28, ZANIS–FIRST Lady Dr Christine Kaseba has commended the private sector for working together with Government on the issues of contributing to the fight against cervical cancer.
Dr Kaseba said the web-based consultation manager, which has been set up in Zambia, has helped to improve the number of women going back to the hospital for cervical cancer screening.
Speaking during the round table meeting in Johannesburg, Dr Kaseba said in the past there was a lot of default but that there has been a great improvement since women were now able to identify with the screening programme.
Dr Kaseba said private companies were better placed to mobilize funds on behalf of countries and help Government in the fight of various diseases.
She said a number of women go back to the hospital after identifying with what they are able to see on the computer.
Dr Kaseba also commended the media for the role they have continued to play in highlighting issues on cervical cancer.
”A lot of women do come back because they are able to identify with what was on the computer. Previously we used to have a high level of default rate. The media has also been very helpful in highlighting issues of cancer and everyone is talking about cancer of the cervix,” she said.
Dr Kaseba described the private sector’s involvement in health issues as commendable adding that while Government had the infrastructure, the private sector were mobilizing the financial resources, which have helped in the establishment of the web based consultation manager that served as a supervisory tool in screening.
And Southern Africa Regional Director on Global Business Coalition on Health, Trip Mothobi said her organisation would within the next few weeks be announcing the companies’ interest in cervical cancer.
Ms Mothobi said it was important to disseminate information on cervical cancer to the communities.
She added that it was also essential to engage the communities on their experiences regarding the fight against cervical cancer.
Over 200 companies meet every year to strategise how they can contribute to the fight against diseases.
The key discussions at 2013 meeting include how to address health threats posed by agriculture and food security, cross sector partnerships, among African players, and initiatives to eliminate malaria.
Other key issues under discussion include lessons learnt from effective local health programming and how business can apply its experience in addressing infectious diseases to the growing challenges of non-communicable diseases.