Campaign targets cervical cancer
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has launched a ‘Phuket Women’s Empowerment’ cervical cancer screening campaign that will continue through to Aug 12 next year. The project was officially launched on Dec 7 at the old Provincial Hall on Narisorn Rd in Phuket Town, which now serves as offices for the PPAO.
The campaign technically began on Dec 5, and is promoted as being held “From Father’s Day to Mother’s Day” in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
Dr Yongyot Thamwut, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and currently Acting Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences chaired the opening of the project, which is named in full as “Uniting the Power of Phuket Women Cervical Cancer Screening From Father’s Day to Mother’s Day”.
Agencies taking part in the project include the PPAO, National Health Security Office, Ministry of Health Region 11 branch, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), Medical Science Center 11/1 Phuket, Vachira Phuket Hospital and MP Group (Thailand) Co Ltd.
“Cervical cancer is one of the major health problems for women around the world, and screening is an important first step in preventing and treating this disease in a timely manner,” Dr Yongyot said.
“In 2020, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) began a policy to provide cervical cancer screening services using HPV DNA testing. It is a national health insurance benefit. Thai female citizens aged 30-60 years are to be tested every five years to replace the pap smear or VIA test,” he added.
“HPV DNA testing is highly accurate, rapid and able to identify HPV infection, and able to classify each strain of HPV at high risk of causing cervical cancer. Women can collect samples by themselves (HPV SelfSampling), which is very efficient. By collecting a sample correctly more than 98% of the results are correct,” he noted.
“The Department of Medical Sciences and the network of medical science centers throughout the country are conducting cervical cancer screening from self-collected samples of 14 different strains. The project has been designated as a driving project of the Department of Medical Sciences, targeting 1 million cases nationwide in fiscal year 2024.
“Surveillance and promotion of screening helps as early detection Increases the chance of successful treatment. It costs less than treatment in the advanced stages. Having Thai women all healthy, free from cervical cancer, helps to strengthen public health care and promotes a driving force of Thailand’s economy.
“Thai women aged 30-60 can inquire about screening details at Medical Science centers nationwide or at the
Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital or hospital near their homes,” he said.
PPAO President Rewat Areerob said that the campaign was in line with the PPAO’s vision of a public health service system policy in line with the term “Healthy Cities” of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“There is a good healthcare system for the people and an appropriate medical care service system, In response to the ‘Quick Win’ policy of the Ministry of Public Health, by upgrading the system for surveillance, prevention and control of disease and health hazards to be modern and timely, therefore recognising the importance of women’s health screening, especially in cervical cancer screening,” he said.
“Our main goal is to increase awareness and promotion of cervical cancer self-screening. This is an important step in the prevention and timely treatment of this disease. The public’s access to the public health system for cervical cancer screening can be increased with the cooperation of all sectors. We are confident we can create meaningful change and reduce incidence rates of cervical cancer in our province of Phuket,” said PPHO Chief Dr Kusak Kukkiattikoon.
“Thai women aged 30-60 years in Phuket province can receive service at all Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals in the province, and at Vachira Phuket Hospital, Patong Hospital, Thalang Hospital and the Phuket Provincial Hospital,” he added.