With breast cancer being the number one killer among Batswana women, Medlane Healthcare in Gaborone joined hands with First Capital Bank to embark on a journey in the fight against the dreaded disease. The collaborative effort paid off, culminating in the launch of the MedlaneMobile Mammography Unit on August 16. The Medlane mobile mammography unit, a Siemens Hologic Mammography Unit, is renowned for its reliability and quality of imagery. The unit is fitted onto its own individual truck body for safety and ease of travel.
Speaking at the event, Superintendent and Medical Director at Medlane Healthcare,
Dr Noorain Lottering commented;
“At Medlane Healthcare, we are passionate about primary healthcare and community health. A big part of our vision is to make a difference to the lives of Batswana through medicine as well as health education, empowering individuals across the nation about diseases and illnesses so they may identify them early to seek medical care, thus reducing mortality and morbidity statistics.”
Dr Lottering said cancer remains the number one killer among Batswana, with many women presenting in the late stages when efforts to provide treatment can prove futile. She noted that this could be due in part to unawareness or lack of access to mammography units, which she says ultimately inspired the idea of setting up a mobile mammography unit.
“The unit uses tomosynthesis data that generates 2D and 3D images of the breast to give more accurate images for the detection of suspicious lesions while also reducing incidents of false positives,” Dr Lottering highlighted.
Realising they could not embark on the mammoth task of launching this service alone, Medlane Healthcare joined forces with breast cancer awareness NGO Journey of Hope and First Capital Bank. Launched in 2018, Journey of Hope embarks on an annual ‘Big Journey’ that spans the length and breadth of Botswana, spreading breast cancer awareness. Having been forced into a COVID-induced hiatus, the Big Journey 2022 will make a comeback, with the journey scheduled for August 26-September 3. As is the norm during the nationwide journey, a team of volunteer doctors and nurses will visit identified clinics to give awareness talks, demonstrate self-breast examination techniques, distribute English and Setswana pamphlets and conduct screenings. The tests include palpation and breast scans using portable ultrasound and mammogram machines. Those who agree to be tested, including men, will receive free t-shirts. First Capital Bank generously contributed 100 mammograms to the initiative.
For her part, First Capital Chief of staff and Head of Marketing, Dr. Hajra Mahomed-Tajbhai said;
“According to the World Health Organisation International Agency for Research, breast and cervical cancer remain the leading cause of death in Botswana. Sadly, over 70% of patients seek medical attention in the latter stages of the disease, which commonly results in the loss of lives.”
“The First Capital and Medlane Healthcare intend to change the already high statistics so that more cases are diagnosed early when they are cheaper and easier to treat.”
“First Capital has sponsored 100 mammograms valued at P90, 000 to be facilitated by Medlane Healthcare. The bank is also contributing P110,000 towards Medlane Healthcare outreach initiatives as well as P25,000 to the Journey of Hope Big Journey taking place this month.”
