Introduction
Many people in rural areas of Nepal are not aware about cancer. When not identifying the early symptoms of cancer, patients often reach hospital only during last stages of Cancer leaving minimal chances of survival. There is even a widespread view upon people that cancer is incurable disease. If Cancer could be identified in the early stages, there can be fifty percentage chance of victory over cancer.
In this scenario, NIdhi Shakti Health Protection Centre (NSHPC) and Nepal Cancer Relief Society (NCRS), Bhaktapur Branch jointly organized a one day Cancer Screening Camp on 6th of May, 2017. The health camp was conducted in Nagarkot with the technical support of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, HECAF Nagarkot community Health Centre and Bhagwan youth Club, Alapot, Kathmandu.
Located at 32 Km east of Kathmandu, Nagarkot municipality of Bhaktapur district has more than forty five hundred inhabitants (Census 2011). Nagarkot Community Health centre run by HECAF Nepal has been providing health services to the locals since 2002 A.D. In the past, other health related camps had been conducted in this health centre. This was the first health camp with cancer screening specialized program to the locals.
Objectives
The health camp served the following objectives:
- To aware people about cancer and its preventive measures
- To identify the cases of types of cancer in patients through screening process
- To conduct free general check up of all the registered patients
Program Summary
All the Organizing committee members, technical supporters with the volunteers reached Nagarkot around 9 A.M in the morning. The camp set up was done with Cancer Awareness posters around the place so that visitors could learn more about cancer. All the visitors were also provided with booklets and brochure with cancer related information.
The inaugural program of the health camp started at 10 A.M which was facilitated by the program coordinator of NSHPC. The chief guests for the formal program were:
Mr. Pradeep Sapkota, Chair person of NSHPC
Mr. Shreedhar Rathore, NCRS Bhaktapur Branch
Mr. Begum Rokka, HECAF, Nagarkot Community Health Centre
Dr. Palak Poudel, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Dr. Anita Thapa, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Mr. Prahlad Basnet, Bhagwan Youth Club and
Representative from Nagarkot Police Department
After the short speech by the organizers team, doctor and other representatives from supportive organizations, the patients were called for Pap smear screening or general check up according to the registered format. Around 200 people were given the free screening, medical checkups and medicines. Out of total 146 females, 124 eligible women were provided with the free Pap smear screening for uterus cancer. Counseling was also done to these female patients on the need base.
Women population contributed to 73 percent of total patient population in Camp.
The female of age group 25- 44 exceeded other age groups in the camp followed by the female population of age group 45 – 64. The elderly and children population were however, minimal in number.
Result of Pap smear test for Women was as follows:
Total 124 women were screened for Pap smear
18 women were referred to repeat PAP after one month by visiting Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.
Conclusion
To sum up, one day Cancer Screening camp of Nagarkot can be evaluated to be a success in terms of service providing to all the participated patients. All the patients who visited were satisfied with the service of health camp and thanked the medical staffs and volunteers. The program received good support and coordination from the various media teams as well as the Local Police Department office. The effort of organizing team for effective management of the health camp also could be clearly seen.
