As part of its efforts to facilitate the early detection of cervical cancer and in so doing, reduce illness and fatalities, the government yesterday officially launch-ed its $2.8 billion Cervical Cancer Screening Programme targeting women between the ages of 21 to 65.
The launch was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), a Department of Public Information (DPI) release stated yesterday.
Attendees included Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, other government ministers and representatives, Regional Health Officers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The programme, the release explained, is a key component of the 2024-2030 National Action Plan aimed at eliminating cervical cancer and represents a “crucial” step towards Guyana’s goal of screening 211,000 women aged 21 to 65 for HPV [Human papillomavirus]. With a budget of $2.8 billion, the programme provides $8,000 vouchers for cervical cancer screenings, which can be redeemed at participating institutions including New Vision Medical Centre, Woodlands Limited, HUIAQI Health Service, Eureka Medical Laboratory, and Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.
Anthony in delivering the feature address, highlighted cervical cancer as being the second most prevalent cancer among women and the third most prevalent cancer in the population. He stressed that the initiative is one facet of a broader, comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue in Guyana. He pointed out that this strategy encompasses efforts such as vaccinating the population against HPV and increasing early detection.
“In the very early stages, if we see any changes on the cervix, then we can at that early stage, make certain interventions that would prevent cancer from happening…We want to make sure that we detect very early and we intervene very early and once we intervene, the survivability will increase and that is the thrust of this programme.”
The minister also urged more persons to ensure their children and relatives are vaccinated against HPV to protect themselves from the infections that can lead to cancer. He had previously reported that despite the availability of HPV vaccinations in Guyana for the past 11 years, the vaccination rate remains strikingly low.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common sexually transmitted infection that typically shows no symptoms but can cause serious illness if left untreated.
Meanwhile, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Dr Latchmie Lall, stated that the ambitious target cannot be achieved in isolation, noting that the government has partnered with the private sector to offer testing in a safe, secure, and timely manner.
Test results will be available within 72 to 96 hours.
“We have decided to partner with the hospitals and private facilities…That will not only identify if you have the virus, but it will also tell us the strain of the human papilla virus that is present in patients,” she informed, noting that this information is integral for deciding the next steps of care for women.
During the launching ceremony, representatives from NGOs, various ministries, and agencies received vouchers, which will be distributed to eligible women. And last week, the Ministry of Health signed several Memo-randa of Understanding with private healthcare providers formalising their partnership for the cervical screening programme, the release added.
