by Sarah Annay
First published April 9, 2004 by Ground for Health
Grounds for Health and Go Doc Go have forged a powerful collaboration in global women’s health, particularly focusing on rural communities. Both nonprofits share a common goal: to provide essential healthcare access to underserved populations, empowering women with the knowledge and resources necessary to combat cervical cancer.
Go Doc Go currently provides cervical cancer prevention services, including equipment and training, through partnerships and short-term technical assistance in Senegal, Ethiopia, Gambia and Haiti. Grounds for Health’s programs include community-based staff and partnerships to support training, community education, and ongoing screening and treatment in Ethiopia and Kenya.
This March, Grounds for Health partnered with Go Doc Go and arranged a 3-day Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) Training for physicians in five hospitals in Ethiopia. After the training, Go Doc Go donated two LEEP devices and two thermal ablation units to the hospitals and Ground for Health’s team. This training and equipment donation will give more women with the highest risk forms of cervical pre-cancer access to advanced treatment. The value of these services cannot be overstated, as they are the most direct way to prevent cancer in rural Ethiopia.
What is LEEP?
LEEP is a medical procedure used to prevent cervical cancer by removing abnormal cervical tissue. During a procedure, the abnormal tissue is removed using a thin wire loop that emits an electrical current. This loop acts as a precise cutting tool, allowing providers to excise the affected area with accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Abnormal tissue is typically noted during a cervical inspection, usually through VIA or following a positive HPV test. The five doctors who received this training will now be able to share their skills with other physicians in area hospitals.
LEEP training is important in East Africa for its potential to improve access to treatment, its integration into healthcare systems, and its impact on women’s health outcomes in the region. Our staff provided clinical support during the training – and their continued presence in Ethiopia will ensure that the skills, equipment, and referrals for women continue.
The physicians spoke highly of the experience and one doctor said, “Frankly speaking, the training was so interesting…I am sure we get good knowledge and skills better than we knew before. We are committed to prevent and manage precancerous cervical lesions that will save the lives of our innocent sisters and mothers who are in need. We had a good time and I miss you all.”
Another said, “I will transfer my skill to colleagues & I hope this training will help to improve the quality of the screening and management of premalignant lesions of the cervix in my hospital and the society at large if we are committed!”
Maggie Carpenter, the ED and Founder of Go Doc Go, said “It was an extremely successful trip and definitely the beginning of a great partnership to fight cervical cancer!” This collaboration represents a beacon of hope for countless women, offering them the chance for a healthier future.