In a small house in Puerto Plata, the grates open and Tata steps out – one of the most resilient patients who has touched the lives of people at Health Horizons International Foundation.

Originally from the beautiful city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti, Osta Mednad (nicknamed Tata) crossed the border about four years ago, seeking a second chance in her brother’s country with the dream of eventually moving to Brazil. “I have always loved Brazilian culture; her music, her seasoning, reminds me a lot of my country,” she said with a picturesque smile.

However, her life changed drastically with news regarding her health. During one of the Community Clinics for Women’s Health, Tata learned about our work through a referral from her brother, who serves as one of our community leaders in Puerto Plata. “I felt a lot of stomach pain. It was a completely inexplicable pain, and quite persistent. I was very afraid, but I still didn’t dare to visit a doctor,” she shared with clear anxiety.

During the community clinic, Tata, like dozens of other women impacted that same day, attended a workshop on the importance of routine check-ups and learned how some conditions disproportionately affect women. She then received a physical examination and a Pap test. “I had never seen a doctor, but the staff at HHI made me feel comfortable. I don’t speak Spanish, yet there was someone translating for me. For the first time, I felt like a human being who was being listened to and valued,” she added.

Unfortunately, Tata’s results were not as expected, and she was diagnosed with HPV with a colposcopy that showed malignancy. She was immediately enrolled in treatment.

“I thought I was going to die. I didn’t really understand my diagnosis, but the foundation immediately enrolled me in its treatment, follow-up, and psychological support services. I was worried, but something told me to be calm. I tried to vent my sorrows a little by writing and distracting myself – I wrote many poems and stories that helped me escape what could have been a harsh and difficult reality,” Tata said about receiving her diagnosis.

Tata is one of the thousands of women worldwide who face or have faced cervical cancer. In the Dominican Republic, cervical cancer is one of the two most common cancers in women. According to the hospital tumor registry, cervical cancer accounts for 22.4% of cases.

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with an estimated incidence of 604,000 new cases in 2020. Of the estimated 342,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2020, more than 90% occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

Thanks to the early intervention of Health Horizons International Foundation, Tata was able to undergo surgery and treatment at no cost, changing the course of her life. During our visit, Tata appeared victorious, happy, and full of life.

“I feel eternally grateful to you. I hope more women are brave enough to seek out this type of service. I hope that my story inspires other women and that they see that prevention is the key. Don’t be afraid. Everything has a solution in time. Now I continue dancing, singing, and writing, but now my poems are about struggle and not sadness,” our dear patient concluded.