Fiji’s Ministry of Health has taken the lead role in addressing the high- risks of cervical cancer among our younger generation and women in particular.
At a briefing held today, Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma said the accessibility of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine will prevent cervical cancer and explained the need for parents to take heed of its benefit for girls around the country.
“Over the past decade in Fiji, cervical cancer was the most common cancer accounting 19 percent of all cancers in the country,” the Minister said.
Cervical cancer is the 3rd leading cause of death in women globally affecting 1.4million women, with reported 529,000 cases and 275,000 deaths each year. More than 50 percent of these deaths occur in the Asia and Oceania region these statistics include our Fijian women.
Dr Sharma said there is no cure for cancer but prevention is the key and these vaccines will help reduce the rates of cervical cancer in the future.”
The vaccines will be taken through three immunisations over a period of 6months and the ministry has been working in partnership with the Education ministry to provide awareness campaign.
Minister Sharma pointed out that parents should read through the brochures and make the necessary arrangements to ensure that their children have access to this vaccine. While it is not compulsory, parents are consult medical professionals before consenting to the vaccine program.
The Australian High Commission’s acting head of mission Mr Glenn Miles said the introduction of these vaccines will make a difference to the health of women in the future.
“Countries like Australia have reported a decline in serious of women suffering from cervical cancer,” which can also be the case for Fiji,” Mr Miles said.
This initiative is joint partnership between the Australian government and Fiji’s Ministry of Health.
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