Fighting COVID-19 and Cervical Cancer Together

 

Healthcare and medical aid is at times weak in rural India.  In many areas there are no formal hospitals and clinics in rural places hence, they mostly have to depend on untrained healthcare workers. Over two-thirds of these rural health providers have no medical training. But these providers are the only medical support for most of the rural population. Now the COVID-19 stigma has worsened the situation in rural India. Due to the lack of proper awareness, people in the rural areas have a misconception that healthcare professionals are sources of infection and they will force people to be removed from their families into quarantine centers. These quarantine centers are viewed with suspicion and fear. This not only increases COVID-19 cases but also lags in recovery and progress.

The challenge of COVID-19 has shown us the importance of good health. So, despite all the COVID-19 challenges, the commitment and innovative spirit of GeBBS Foundation volunteers remains steadfast. Together they have taken various approaches to prevent cervical cancer as well as spread awareness on the pandemic trajectory in the rural areas. The volunteers even during these difficult times visited different villages especially in Aurangabad and Jalna The volunteers along with the doctors from Hedgewar hospital and MGM hospital are conducting the following activities:

• Visit different villages in the mobile van and conduct screening camps with the doctors and nurses.
• Run awareness programs on cervical cancer and breast cancer.
• Conduct PAP tests and HPV tests in the mobile van.
• Provide free doctor’s consultation to the people in the rural areas of Aurangabad and Jalna.
• Advice villagers to maintain basic hygiene while at home and outside.
• Conduct COVID-19 awareness sessions in different villages of Aurangabad and Jalna.
• Distribute face masks, sanitizers, and essential groceries to the people in different villages.

In this way, our GeBBS Foundation volunteers continuously protect the vulnerable people in the rural areas of Aurangabad and Jalna. Together, we will continue to work towards a better tomorrow.