Cancer Society of Maldives

Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM) is a non-profit/non-governmental organization formed, by like minded individuals, for the purpose of reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the Republic of Maldives. Our aims include: increasing awareness, establishing early cancer diagnosis methods through cancer screening camps, promoting healthy living through awareness/education programs, conducting trainings and refresher programs for health care workers/educators, establishing and maintaining a cancer patient database in the Maldives, providing psychosocial support to cancer patients, survivors, their families and any others who maybe affected by cancer, assisting in the treatment process of cancer patients by acting as a support network and a coping mechanism. Since its inception in 2012, despite the many challenges faced by the Society, CSM has been very active in its endeavors towards achieving its aims. In fact, the last 3 years has seen a marked increase in the number of activities conducted for cancer awareness. As such, CSM has conducted several cancer awareness sessions throughout the Maldives, specifically for school children, health care workers/educators in the atolls and also to the general public. In total, about 12 -14 cancer awareness sessions was conducted annually. In addition to the general awareness programs, CSM has also conducted breast cancer screening programs in three atolls with the assistance of a specialist team from Singapore, participated in two cervical cancer screening programs and conducted one oral and one prostate cancer screening program, during the past 3 years. Additionally, with the aim of expanding our network and spreading our work to the entire population of the Maldives, in 2015, CSM embarked on a program to train local trainers/facilitators from all across the Maldives. To this end, a very success training program was, held in the form of a workshop for health care workers from all 19 atolls. During this workshop, 2 health care workers from each atoll were trained to conduct cancer awareness programs in their respective atolls. This workshop has, to date, resulted in a number of awareness programs being held in the outer atolls, which in the past has been ‘unreachable’ to a large extent, due the geographical makeup of the Maldives, and the increased costs involved in arranging logistic, transport and the like, to some of these farther islands. CSM believes that the success of CSM in achieving our aims depends on continuity and expansion of our work. Hence, CSM is committed to continue our efforts and increase our efforts in order to achieving our aims. CSM is very much encouraged by the increase in support and assistance gained from all across the Maldives and our international partners. We are confident that with the support and assistance we continue to receive, both locally and internationally, we will can continue our efforts towards reaching our goal: REDUCING THE INCIDENCE AND IMPACT OF CANCER IN THE MALDIVES.