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Guyana Cervical Cancer Project - Project Completion Summary
Mother and child Mother and infant Mother with child

The RAM Guyana Women's Health Team was formed in November 2003, to follow-up on abnormal PAP smears performed on Amerindian women in the tribal villages of the interior. Its mission was to provide cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for Amerindian women until the Ministry of Health could formalize its national program of cervical cancer screening and begin to implement it in the villages of the interior. In addition, the team carried out a formal epidemiologic study to establish the baseline rate of cervical cancer among this population. An initial paper was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Appendix C, and a final paper is being prepared at this time. As a result of several years of hard work, cooperation from the Ministry of Health and villages, and the ability of the Ministry of Health to oversee the next phase of this project, the RAM Women's Health Team is pleased to announce that the primary goals of the Guyana Cervical Cancer Project have been accomplished.

As local sustainability is the hallmark of a successful program, the RAM team is now ready to discontinue screening and transfer the care of the patients to Guyana's Ministry of Health. While we anticipate that the program will be implemented throughout the country by Guyana's program directors, Minister Ramsammy has been assured by RAM Team Leaders that the RAM Team will return to Guyana if requested to assist in implementing the Ministry's program in Regions 7, 8, and 9.

Mothers and babies

Mom with kids

An informal survey was taken in the indigenous villages concerning patient acceptance of transferring medical information to the Ministry of Health. As no objection was raised, relevant medical information was provided to the Ministry on April 6, 2011. Documentation of surgical procedures and radiation/chemotherapy administered will be made available as needed for ongoing patient care.

In addition to providing care in Guyana's indigenous villages, the team has worked alongside the medical professionals at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital to provide care to HIV-positive women participating in Mercy Hospital's "Stem the Tide" program. Patients seen at Mercy Hospital are already receiving follow-up care through that program.

 

Guyana Women's Health Team
Guyana village huts
With the conclusion of the Spring 2011 expedition,
the RAM Women's Health Team has completed its mission in Guyana.

 
 
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