Women from Region Eight will soon be able to access free cryotherapy treatment through regional outreaches, which will be done by the Mahdia District Hospital or by visiting the hospital.
On Friday, the staff of the Mahdia District Hospital received a cryotherapy machine from the Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence in hopes that women in the region can be cured of cervical cancer, once diagnosed.
The machine is used to treat early signs of cervical cancer and other abnormalities. Cryotherapy treatment has been widely accepted as a practical and effective method of treating pre-cancerous cervical lesions worldwide.
According to a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI), “the machine is one of several others that were purchased by the Maternal and Child Health Programme of the Ministry of Health. The purchase was made after a needs-assessment was conducted for this particular service in several regions.”
It was revealed during the handing over ceremony at the Mahdia Hospital that access to the services of the machine will be free of cost.
It was also revealed that Midwife Malinda Haramoottoo and registered Nurse Wendy John are trained to operate the machine. Additionally more staff will be trained to operate other machines, which are yet to be acquired so they can operate during outreaches around various parts of the region.
“Small though it may appear, this kit is priceless. Because of this machine, we are going to be able to save many lives. We want women in this region to be healthy… we want to identify their issues at the earliest stage,” DPI quoted Lawrence as saying.
She made note of the fact that the hospital serves several communities in the area, which is why the ministry made it its duty to equip the hospital with necessary equipment, especially as it relates to cancer.
Furthermore Lawrence and the Regional Executive Officer Mitzy Campbell, both survivors of cancer, together emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, while noting that cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women.
Meanwhile, a Ward Sister at the hospital, Trecia Hubbard, applauded the minster for her efforts to improve the services at the hospital. She revealed that through outreaches, women who do not live in the vicinity of Mahdia, will also be able to benefit from the services of the machine.
