21 September 2022
New device to prevent killer disease now here
Efforts to prevent and treat cervical cancer, a killer disease that has claimed the lives of many women in recent times, is beefing up with the backing of local and international partners.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says screening and treatment will now be made available at provincial health centers and local communities.
“Eliminating cervical cancer is a priority as it is the second most common cancer among women in the Solomon Islands,” explained MHMS Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil.
“Due to the geographical and financial challenges that we face, the screen-and-treat approach is the best for the Solomon Islands,” McNeil added.
“A one-stop shop where women who present to the health facility are seen, examined, and treated at the same time before they go home.”
To support MHMS’s screen-and-treat efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO), with funding from the European Union (EU), provided 17 thermal ablation devices to be rolled out in Area Health Centres in Honiara, Makira, and other provinces.
The thermal ablation devices were officially handed over by WHO to the Ministry on Friday 16th September.
Source – Island Sun newspaper
Comment
A welcome and much-needed initiative in cervical cancer prevention. Much remains to be done locally, however, in relation to health screening and hopefully, this need will be recognized and supported by the WHO and the EU.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
