For 43-year-old Ramatulai Kamara, a mom of 4, the journey with cervical most cancers started 4 years in the past when she began experiencing extreme bleeding. She sought assist at a number of well being services, seeing completely different medical doctors, however the eventual analysis introduced devastating information: cervical most cancers. “Once I was lastly instructed what was mistaken with me, I cried. I used to be confused, and many individuals mentioned that most cancers is lethal. I used to be additionally instructed that my solely choice was to go to Ghana for remedy, however I had no cash for that. I used to be suggested in opposition to utilizing conventional treatments, or I might die,” she shared.
With no means to hunt remedy overseas, Ramatulai’s solely choice was chemotherapy—the perfect out there in Sierra Leone on the time. “After a number of scans, I began chemotherapy, they usually instructed me I might lose my hair. It was a troublesome time for me,” she recalled. Her outlook modified dramatically after present process a life-saving surgical procedure she by no means anticipated, following her sixth chemotherapy session. “I’m so completely happy for this chance. I really feel grateful to everybody who was concerned in making this occur for me.”
This transformative consequence was made potential by means of a South-South collaboration between Sierra Leone and Zambia, with assist from the World Well being Group (WHO). Sierra Leone just lately achieved a groundbreaking milestone in its battle in opposition to cervical most cancers: a profitable radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for early-stage cervical most cancers (1B2) carried out on the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown. This accomplishment not solely signifies a turning level in cervical most cancers care but additionally highlights the rising in-country capability to deal with complicated instances.
Due to this collaboration and WHO’s assist, gynecologic surgeons in Sierra Leone are actually outfitted to carry out complicated surgical procedures to deal with early-stage cervical most cancers. “This case has demonstrated that, with sufficient capability constructing, our workers in Sierra Leone are able to performing these complicated procedures. They have been keen and able to be taught, enthusiastically collaborating within the surgical procedure,” mentioned Dr. Samson Chisele, a gynecologic oncologist from WHO Zambia.
Following Ramatulai’s surgical procedure, two further ladies in Sierra Leone underwent related life-saving procedures, signaling hope for a lot of extra ladies throughout the nation. This progress underscores the significance of coaching native clinicians and constructing a sustainable healthcare system able to offering well timed, high-quality care.
The surgical procedures are a part of a broader initiative to broaden cervical most cancers remedy choices in Sierra Leone. Donations of important medical gear—together with devices for radical hysterectomy, digital colposcopes, thermal coagulators, and LEEP machines—are making certain that ladies can now entry care inside the nation. “This coaching was important for strengthening Sierra Leone’s capability to deal with cervical most cancers, and the profitable surgical procedures display the nation’s capacity to deal with complicated instances. It additionally aligns with the WHO’s cervical most cancers elimination targets, contributing to the worldwide 90-70-90 initiative,” remarked Dr. Michael Ezeanochie, Marketing consultant Gynae Oncologist on the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital.
Dr. Francis Moses, Nationwide Program Supervisor for the Ministry of Well being’s Sexual and Reproductive Well being Program, highlighted the importance of this breakthrough. “The introduction of radical hysterectomy into Sierra Leone’s healthcare system is a testomony to the Ministry’s dedication to enhancing ladies’s well being. By constructing native capability and equipping our services, we’re making certain that ladies can entry the care they want with out leaving the nation.
For Ramatulai and others, these developments signify a brand new chapter of hope. “I’m really grateful for the remedy and the chance to dwell a wholesome life. I hope that extra ladies in Sierra Leone can obtain this sort of care,” she expressed.
“What occurred in Sierra Leone is a primary instance of what might be achieved by means of South-South collaboration, significantly when members are expert, wanting to be taught, and deeply dedicated to creating a distinction. The introduction of radical hysterectomy is especially related because it closes an important remedy hole for ladies with superior cervical most cancers, making certain they obtain the care they want proper right here in Sierra Leone,” mentioned Professor Groesbeck Parham, M.D., Senior Scientific Skilled for the Cervical Most cancers Elimination Initiative at WHO.
Whereas vital progress has been made, challenges stay. Entry to pathology providers, excessive remedy prices, and the absence of radiotherapy choices in Sierra Leone nonetheless hinder broader success. Nonetheless, with continued capability constructing, coaching, and worldwide assist, the nation is making strides towards eliminating cervical most cancers as a public well being risk.