In January 2022, Pepal launched the first online iNJIA Programme focused on cervical cancer in Uttar Pradesh, India. Engaging over 25 leaders from Roche, NGO partners and the frontline healthcare system, this cohort discussed effective, leadership cross-cultural collaboration to co-create innovations across three districts - Lucknow, Hardoi and Fatehpur.
In many states across India, including Uttar Pradesh, cervical cancer is not a healthcare priority in government clinics and hospitals. As a result, very few resources are allocated to cervical cancer prevention and treatment. This, coupled with low awareness levels lead to a very limited uptake of cervical cancer screening services.
However, Team Lucknow, from iNJIA Cohort 5, saw these challenges as an opportunity to make a change in the lives of the women in Uttar Pradesh through the power of leadership and commitment. This team’s initial plan was to implement an awareness campaign within the Sewasadan Urban Primary Health Center (UPHC) in Lucknow, but quickly realised that this would create demand for services that did not exist. To solve this, they pivoted to an innovation focused on providing these services. Team Lucknow planned to conduct the first ever screening camp ever held in Sewasadan UPHC.
Over the course of six months, the team developed and put in place the appropriate infrastructure to ensure a successful intervention, training staff on cervical cancer screening, sourcing the materials required, and setting up a physical screening room for patients.
Dr Andleeb Rizvi, a member of team Lucknow, who is the medical in-charge at UPHC Sewasadan took a leading role among the team of national healthcare leaders to make their idea a reality, with the support of Roche leaders remotely. She was able to harness the power of leadership and use the strengths of her team effectively to set up a successful screening camp.
The camp proved a success! The team educated 55 women about cervical cancer, screened 43 of these women with no positive VIA cases. The team also planned for patients with positive VIA results to receive further treatment through a collaboration with King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow.
Leadership in action!