3,649 women undergo pap smear test, health screening By Shalina R.
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 2,499 women underwent the pap smear test and 1,150 underwent the health screening organized for free in Sabah by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) since September 2017.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said health is part of the five sectors concentrated to empower women in 2018.
She added, along with safety, economy, culture and education, the sector is done to strengthen the role of women in the family and community institution to bolster the national development.
“In connection with that, my ministry had cooperated with LPPKN to implement the Jelajah WOW (Wellbeing of Women),” said Jainab, whose speech was read by permanent secretary Janet KL Chee, during the Jelajah WOW free health screening and pap smear for women program at the Sabah State Library Headquarters here yesterday.
She said the program was aimed at raising awareness on the importance of pap smear and early detection of cervical cancer, the detection and proper referral of the precancerous cervix and cervical cancer, as well as increasing the number of women taking the pap smear test.
“The ministry always supports, encourages and calls upon all women, especially in Sabah to empower themselves by participating in programs provided by the government,” she said.
“I believe, should the women together be with the national development agenda, we will be able to move towards the creation of a country that is balanced and prosperous,” she added.
She said the program had been organized throughout districts in Sabah including Kota Belud, Sandakan, Tawau and Kuala Penyu.