Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony on Monday announced that the government will this year begin providing free HPV testing with the aim of making HPV screening more accessible and affordable for all Guyanese.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Health, the initiative was formulated following a protocol developed by the Department of Gynaecology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Anthony made the announcement during a working session on cervical cancer convened by the Ministry of Health’s Chronic Disease Unit in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, the release stated
Billed as a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Session on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, it was convened at Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre and forms part of the country’s quest to formulate a robust strategy and ensure that women receive optimal care, the release said
It added that during his address, the Minister of Health emphasised the importance of preventing cervical cancer through the use of available tools, such as the HPV vaccine.
Among the key presenters at the CME were Dr Shivani Samlall, Gynaecologist-Obstetrician; Dr Latoya Gooding, Medical Oncologist attached to the GPHC; Nurse Bibi Salim from the Beacon Foundation and Dr Rebecca Luckett, Assistant Programme Director and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology attached to Mount Sinai Health System.
Also present at the activity were Dr Lachmie Lall, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health; Dr Dianele Drepaul, Coordinator (ag) Chronic Disease Unit, GPHC and others, the release said.
