KUCHING: Sarawak aims to become the first state in the country to eradicate cervical cancer by 2030.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state has the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer if women within the reproductive age group, aged 30 to 65, come forward for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing, including HPV vaccination.
He said screenings conducted regularly at hospitals and health clinics can detect early signs of precancerous cells, allowing patients to receive early treatment.
“Essentially, we need to screen 10,000 women per month. We’re striving to provide facilities, but we urge all women to take care of themselves by participating in screenings,” he told a press conference after officiating at the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS)’s Practice of Gynaecologic Pathology and Cytopathology Conference 2024 at Hilton Hotel here today.
The Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government said the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, as well as the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) are interested in collaborating to conduct cervical cancer screenings in Sarawak.
“I have discussed with Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim (NPDFB chairman) because they are keen to join us and organise programmes in Sarawak,” he added.
For the record, the female population in Sarawak is 1.2 million, with 1.02 million aged 30 to 65, and the target is to screen 70 percent, which amounts to 714,800 people.
Malaysia has set three targets outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO): 90 percent vaccination among 13-year-old girls, 70 percent HPV screening among women aged 30 to 65 by 2030, and 90 percent treatment for precancerous lesions.
Also present were international chair of Singapore Pathology Experts Dr. Yeo Yen Ching, Sarawak state pathologist Dr. Adam Malik Ismail and financial manager of STATOS Kenny Lau Tien Hong.
