MSN and Rotary Club Partnership Offers Free Cervical Cancer Screening Vouchers to Women in Nepal

In a significant effort to combat cervical cancer in Nepal, the "Mahila Swastha Upahaar" voucher program has been introduced through a partnership between MSN (Marie Stopes Nepal) and the Rotary Club of Rajdhani. The initiative aims to improve access to cervical cancer screening for women across various regions of the country.

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women in Nepal, with 2,942 new cases and 1,928 fatalities reported in 2018 alone. Shockingly, less than one in ten women had undergone cervical cancer screening in the previous five years. The disease claims the lives of a woman every two minutes worldwide, often due to a lack of awareness. Early detection through regular screenings is crucial in preventing such deaths.

The "Mahila Swastha Upahaar" voucher, exclusively distributed by Rotary club members, offers women a free cervical cancer screening at MSN clinics. To avail the service, voucher holders must call the toll-free helpline at (844) 1143 to schedule an appointment at the designated MSN/SPN center. The screening employs the Visual Inspection of Cervix with Acetic Acid (VIA) method, allowing for the early detection of cervical cancer as early as three years.

Dr. Bibek Lal, Director of the Family Welfare Division, Government of Nepal, emphasized the significance of prevention in reducing cervical cancer occurrences. He expressed confidence that the voucher program would increase screenings, thereby contributing to cervical cancer prevention in Nepal. The World Health Organization has set a target of eradicating cervical cancer by 2030, and the voucher program represents a step in the right direction.

KP Upadhyay, President of the Rotary Club in Rajdhani, expressed the club's commitment to maximizing the reach of the vouchers among women in Nepal through their extensive network. This concerted effort aims to significantly accelerate cervical cancer screening across the country. Kavitha Kasyanathan, the program manager, stated that Australian Aid, with a strong focus on preventing cervical cancer, plans to provide support to this voucher program.

Tushar Niroula, Executive Director of Marie Stopes Nepal, highlighted the alarming data on the state of cervical cancer among women in Nepal. He called upon all relevant organizations to swiftly support initiatives aimed at preventing cervical cancer. Marie Stopes Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepali government and local organizations like the Rotary Club of Rajdhani, has pledged to increase screenings for women throughout Nepal to reduce cervical cancer morbidity and mortality in the coming years.

Apart from the clinics in the Kathmandu valley, MSN clinics are also located in Itahari, Lahan, Biratnagar, Birtamod, Lalbandi, Birgunj, Narayanghat, Bardaghat, Dumre, Pokhara, Surkhet, Dang, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Chandrauta, Taulihawa, Kohalpur, and Attariya. These additional locations further enhance the accessibility of cervical cancer screening services for women in Nepal.