Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Strengthening Local Capacity
From September 20 to October 4, 2025, a medical team from Austria, led by Dr. Dr. Nadja Taumberger, visited Holy Family Hospital in Techiman to continue an ongoing collaboration in cervical cancer prevention and training. Working closely with the hospital’s own staff — and joined by Dr. Teresa Pan — the team focused on strengthening both diagnostic and treatment capacity for women’s health.
With support from GIZ and other donors, important new equipment could be provided, including a mobile colposcope, an electrosurgical generator and a thermocoagulator — all designed for use in low-resource settings. Materials for HPV self-sampling tests were also supplied, making large-scale cervical cancer screening possible.
Outreach and Impact
During the first week, patients already enrolled in the ongoing cervical cancer study were examined and treated. One success stood out clearly: the midwives trained over the past two years now perform cervical cancer screening and colposcopy independently, and with great competence.
In the second week, the Austrian and local teams carried out a five-day outreach program in three rural communities — Atebubu-Amantin, Nsuta and Abease — where access to medical care is limited. Together they screened around 1,500 women and provided consultations for a range of gynaecological problems.
This mission marks an important milestone: in less than two years, a fully independent cervical cancer screening unit has been established at Holy Family Hospital — now extending care to women even in remote areas.