MAMPU-‘Aisyiyah in Blitar Regency Secures Village Fund for Cervical Cancer Screening

In commemoration of Mother’s Day, Regional Leaders of Aisyiyah Blitar secured funding from the Blitar Village Fund for cervical cancer screening tests to be carried out in several villages. ‘Aisyiyah collaborated with a number of Blitar community health centres and village midwives to carry out the VIA and Sadarnis tests. Binti Hamidah, General Chairperson of ‘Aisyiyah Regional Leader of Blitar Regency, explained that the funding for the screening came about from ‘Aisyiyah’s advocacy to the Blitar Regent, a number of SKPD such as the Health Office, Social Service, PPKB and Bangkesbangpol Blitar District.

Elya Muschabiati as a member of the MAMPU team, Aisyiyah, said that the selection of Jatinom Village, was the result of  cooperation between MAMPU’ Aisyiyah cadres and Posyandu cadres from Jatinom Village, Village Heads, Village Midwives and Puskesmas.

“On December 22nd, the VIA and Sadarnis tests were held for free at Jatinom village for participants at the cost of the village or Karangwreda,” said Elya.

Another member of the MAMPU ‘Aisyiyah team, Syifa, oversaw the Binangun sub-district IVA and Sadarnis tests on 29 December.

“The VIA and Sadarnis tests in Binangun were attended by around 120 participants,” said Syifa, and a fourth round had been held at the Suruhwadang Health Center Support.

Elya hopes that the free VIA and Sadarnis Test utilizing the Village Fund will continue.

“This activity was carried out by the Branch Manager of ‘Aisyiyah who collaborated with each Puskesmas and not only those with MAMPU programs. But for the time of implementation it all depends on the readiness of PCA (Chair Branch of ‘Aisyiyah).”

‘Aisyiyah Blitar hopes in the future there are more villages providing budget to improve women’s health and reproductive health, because so far there is still more attention going in infrastructure development and not for reproductive health. Elya added that with the positive response of the Village Chief who was very responsive to the issue of women and women’s reproductive health, ‘Aisyiyah’s team is very optimistic in welcoming 2017.

Written by: Suri Putri (‘Aisyiyah)