Telehealth for Cervical Cancer Screening and Care in Rwanda
This project has ended
At a glance:
Partner:
Urunana Development Communication
When?
February 2019 to November 2019
Where?
Rwanda
Thematic Area?
Health
ICTs:
Telehealth application and mobile connected colposcope
Telehealth for Cervical Cancer Screening and Care in Rwanda
The project would be implemented in one remote site within the area of Bushenge Hospital in the Nyamasheke district. With the use of a colposcopy called the gynocular, the health care providers at the project site will use simple mobile technology and this will help in increasing access to cervical cancer screening and care services.
Training of health care providers at the intervention site will use e-learning platforms where e-learning materials on cervical cancer screening and care would be uploaded on the platform. The selected health care providers who will follow the training will have an initial orientation on how to access and use the e-learning materials. The technical team to ensure that health care providers gain hands-on experience in using ICT and telehealth applications will also carry on-site mentorship. Through video conferencing sessions, health care providers will learn from the best practices in cervical cancer screening and care services.
Mass media mainly through radio would be used to raise awareness on cervical cancer focusing on the importance of early screening and care services. Social Behavior Change Communication experts from Urunana DC will use edutainment communication approaches to creatively disseminate the key messages to the target population. The project will develop a short video documentary with education content to raise.
Key groups: Women aged between 15years – 49years, Ministry of Health, Mobile network supporting services, University of Rwanda
Challenges to address
- The mobile network failure leading to delay in service delivery
- Patient resistance to the use of the gynocular.
- Delays in diagnostic due to unstable internet connection.
- Health care workers providers do not want to use the new technologie.
- Behaviour change proves more difficult than expected and the uptake of digital health moves much slower than planned
Activities
- Workshop to develop a blended e-learning continuing professional development course on cervical cancer.
- Develop a short documentary on cervical cancer targeting women in reproductive age (15-45 yrs).
- Training and mentorship of frontline health care providers on cervical cancer screening using videoconferencing and learning management information system (LMIS).
- Conduct supervision, mentorship and interpretation of images using videoconferencing systems from expert consulting site to rural site by multi-disciplinary health care experts – senior clinical experts.
- Develop a short documentary on cervical cancer targeting women in reproductive age (15-45 years).
- Radio talk show at the community radio station to obtain feedback from the target audience.

Urunana Development Communication
deals in public interest interventions to improve the life and social welfare in Rwanda through innovative, creative and interactive communication and social services. Urunana DC’s work focuses on health sector issues and some social issues that could directly or indirectly affect health among the target population.
Needs assessment findings
This project is based upon the findings of needs assessment analysis made in three East African countries: Kenya, Zambia and Rwanda. The findings from each country are published in three reports available for download. Read more about each report in the posts below.
Can telehealth be an option for increasing cervical cancer screening rates in Kenya?
Early detection of cervical cancer is one of the best ways to ensure successful treatment. Yet only 3.2% of Kenyan women aged 16-68 were screened for cervical cancer in 2012.
Rwandan health care system ready for telehealth in cervical cancer screening and care
With ICT friendly policy makers, digitalised and connected hospitals Rwanda is ready to use telehealth for cervical cancer screening and care.
Women in Zambia want Telehealth services to cater for pressing health needs
On International Women’s Day 2017 SPIDER, The Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions, is proud to launch a report with significant input from women living with diagnosed cervical cancer, key decision makers and different healthcare workers in Zambia. Zambia has...