DREAM Center in Matola: Launch of the Women’s Health Campaign in Markets and Populous Neighborhoods of the City
The DREAM Center in Matola, Mozambique, has launched a Women’s Health Campaign. From June 6 to July 6, the team will be active in the markets and densely populated neighborhoods of Matola City (Malhampsene, Santos, and Tchumene), providing services and initiatives targeting women aged 25 to 60. These efforts are part of the “Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases” project, aimed at strengthening the public health system to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
On June 6, 2024, the DREAM Center in Matola initiated this extensive campaign, focusing on underserved areas to reach women, including sexually active young women and HIV-positive individuals.
Over the next 30 days, the DREAM team will spend two days in each location, offering vital services such as:
- Prevention and treatment of cervical and breast cancer (CACUM).
- Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV.
- Screening for hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
- Family planning services and referrals to healthcare facilities.
The DREAM Center in Matola is part of the DREAM Program of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a pioneering initiative in Mozambique that has been active for 22 years. It provides free diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment, reaching nearly 2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
Mozambique faces an HIV prevalence rate of approximately 12.5%. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in the country, accounting for about 32% of new female cancer cases, with an estimated 3,690 new cases and 2,356 deaths annually.
The DREAM Center’s campaign aims to reduce these numbers by delivering crucial preventive care and treatment to women in high-need areas. In its initial days, the campaign has already screened over 100 women, providing essential healthcare services and raising awareness about women’s health issues.