Now preliminary screening of cervical cancer can be done at sub-health centers, emergency services will also be strengthened.

Bhopal : With the aim of providing advanced and accessible health services to the community through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in Madhya Pradesh, National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh has started a three-day joint training of Community Health Officers (CHO) on Emergency Health Services (Emergency Care) and VIA based cervical cancer screening.

The first batch of training was organized at Government Medical College, Seoni, in which 35 community health officers were trained in the skills of emergency care and VIA screening by experts from the medical college. Through manikin based hands-on practice, participants were trained/practiced important techniques like CPR, ABCDE assessment, respiratory and circulatory emergencies, trauma management, bleeding control, maternal and neonatal emergencies.

Under VIA training, detailed information was given on the structure of the cervix, steps of VIA procedure, use of acetic acid in screening, interpretation of VIA positive/negative results, counselling, infection control, documentation and referral.

Participants gained useful skills by practicing the techniques of the VIA process. This training is an important step towards early detection and prevention of cervical cancer in women, which will increase screening in the population and improve the quality of health services.

In the upcoming phases, similar training will be organized in the medical colleges of Mandsaur, Satna and Vidisha, so that all the community health officers of the state can get the necessary technical skills for emergency management and VIA screening.

“This initiative in collaboration with medical colleges of the state will provide new direction and momentum to women’s health and emergency care.”