Poland in Tanzania

Among all cancer diseases, breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women. In Tanzania, most patients with this type of cancer report to a doctor too late for an effective treatment. This situation may be improved by spreading knowledge on breast cancer among medical personnel and the society, and introducing a screening system for the female population allowing an early diagnosis of this disease.

The aim of the project was therefore to reduce the number of neglected breast cancer cases, enable women to undertake early treatment, and thus reduce female mortality in the Mtwara region. It consisted in training the managers of almost all major health care facilities in the Mtwara area, including the head of the surgical department at Ligula regional hospital, the head of the Likombe medical center, the district doctor and the heads of 18 local dispensaries. All of them have undertook to appoint staff responsible for the continuation of the training campaign among medical personnel within their respective facilities and have received necessary training tools. Another training was also conducted for over 100 women working in a local cement plant who will be also able to share the acquired knowledge with their friends. Moreover, an information campaign through a local radio made it possible to pass on essential knowledge about prophylaxis and basic breast examinations to thousands of listeners. As a result of the action, women who have been suspecting lesions have already started visiting the Pendo clinic to get examined and, if necessary, they undergo surgeries. In addition to trainings and the information campaign, the project resulted in providing the Pendo clinic with the necessary medical equipment and supplies.

A representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dar es Salaam, Katarzyna Sobiecka, visited the Pendo clinic and its director, Polish surgeon Ryszard Jankiewicz, who managed the project financed from small grants. The visit has allowed our Embassy not only to get acquainted with the results of the project on the spot, but also to gain more detailed knowledge on the conditions of the work of the local health service personnel and further needs of the region in the field of health, which is one of the most important areas of interest for Polish development cooperation in Tanzania.