Together Against Breast Cancer
Source: Roma network
Date: 23.8. 2007.
"Equal Chances Against Breast Cancer" Campaign to Be Held in Hungary
It is estimated in Hungary that Romani women are three times as likely to die from breast cancer as non-Roma. As part of the Decade of Roma Inclusion, Roma artists and local organizations join forces with international NGOs and professional associations in a combined effort to combat breast cancer, increase early detection and survival rates, and improve access to information, awareness and support for Romani women. A campaign will be launched in September in three locations in Hungary: Tiszadob, Kiskőrös and Pécs.
The campaign is led by the American Jewish JOINT Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Open Society Institute's Roma Participation Program. Partners include the Association of the Hungarian Cancer Patients, the Foundation "Against Cancer for the People and for the Future" and the Hungarian League Against Cancer. The initiative is also supported by the Hungarian Red Cross and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest international institution combating breast cancer, which was established by former US ambassador to Hungary, Nancy Goodman Brinker.
The campaign includes regional conferences with national and local health professionals, Roma representatives, municipalities, the National Public Health and Medical Officer Service, to promote dialogue and raise awareness to combat breast cancer.
Each conference will be followed by "Open Health Days" targeting local Roma communities, providing breast scanning, discussions on awareness and early detection of breast cancer, more general advice on healthy lifestyle, as well as cultural events and entertainment. The health days are hosted by several Romani organizations.
Marianna Jó, Project Manager at JDC stated that "As the Hungarian Government takes over the presidency of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005–2015, I hope that this campaign will succeed in informing a coherent and integrated policy approach to improve the life chances and quality of life for all affected by breast cancer, Roma and non-Roma alike."
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About
Action plan for health care of Roma stipulates that the Board of Minority Rights Center and of the National Council of Roma National Minority is competent for monitoring. The Board for The Board for Health Care was formed on 15 February 2005, supported by the Fund for an Open Society. The first meeting of the Board was attended, in addition to the board members, by representative of the Ministry of Health Djorde Stojiljkovic, Roma Secretariat chief Tinda Kovac and Office representative of Strategy for Poverty Reduction Aleksandra Jovic. The Board prepared recommendation that were sent to the Ministry of Health and a letter for the minister of health Dr Tomica Milosavljevic.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia sent the budget proposal to the Ministry of Finance. The budget proposal stipulated 60 million dinars for implementation of Action plans for improvement of Roma health. The proposal comprised the following areas: Research of health condition of Roma populaton (8 million dinars); improvement of health care among Roma (50 million dinars); program of education for realization of the right to health care (2 million dinars).
It is expected that specific activities of the Ministry of Health regarding implementation of Action plans for improvement of Roma health will be launched this year.
Current issues
At the meeting of the working group for health care of Roma, which was held on 22 March 2006, cooperation with the representative of the Ministry of Health, Dr Đorđe Stojiljković, was established. He is the person responsible for implementation of the action plan for health care within the Ministry. On this occassion the Ministry of Health gave recommendations for further activities concerning implementation of these programs.
The Ministry of Health also received a list of Roma non-governmental organizations that should cooperate with regional health care institutes during implementation of the programs aimed at inclusion of Roma in the existing health care system.
Additional information is expected at the beginning of May.
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