GHI at the 15th KEMRI KASH Conference

Presentation Title: Lessons Learned from the First Year of Implementing and Evaluating the Cancer Tracking System (CATSystem): A Systems-Level Intervention to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening, Treatment Referral, and Follow-Up in Kenya

Presenter: Nick Maosa

GHI’s Program Coordinator, Nick Maosa, marked a significant milestone in his research journey at the 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference. The conference which aligned perfectly with GHI’s mission, brought together top researchers and collaborators from around the world to share groundbreaking work and build strategic partnerships.

Maosa had the honour of delivering a plenary presentation on “Lessons Learned from the First Year of Implementing and Evaluating the Cancer Tracking System (CATSystem): A Systems-Level Intervention to Improve Cervical Cancer Screening, Treatment Referral, and Follow-Up in Kenya.”

His session highlighted critical insights from the first year of CATSystem’s implementation, including:

1. 1. The overwhelmingly positive reception from end users, particularly for its efficiency in tracking patient referrals and follow-ups.
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3. 2. Increased access to cervical cancer screening services for women living with HIV, while new data suggests that HIV- negative populations also face significant risks.
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5. 3. The challenge of over-diagnosis at some sites, underscoring the need for targeted capacity-building initiatives.
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7. 4. Persistent issues such as inconsistent medical supply chains and staffing shortages in some healthcare facilities.

Despite these challenges, Maosa emphasized that the CATSystem is proving to be a transformative tool in cervical cancer care. With its demonstrated impact on patient tracking and follow-ups, there is growing advocacy for its adoption beyond research settings. As GHI continues to champion this innovation, the long-term vision remains clear, leveraging technology and research to improve health outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems for sustainable impact.