Malawi hosts cervical cancer regional conference

Representative of World Health Organisation in Malawi Eugene Nyarko has encouraged the warm heart of Africa to boost its efforts in the fight against cervical cancer.

Nyarko said this during the official launch of training of trainers on cervical cancer prevention and control for African Region Conference.

She said cervical cancer is a preventable disease but in Africa it is one of the leading causes of deaths among women as every year over 97000 women develop cancer and 56000 die from it.

In his remarks Minister of Health Dr Peter Kumpalume expressed concern over the increase of cancer cases in the country saying it is one of the leading causes of deaths among women.

Kumpalume said in Malawi very few women have undergone screening although cervical cancer is on the increase as is the case in many developing nations.

Kumpalume said “government in collaboration with partners has established cervical cancer screening service in almost all health facilities as a preventive measure.”

He said the training was organized to equip more health personnel with knowledge on the prevention and treatment cervical cancer.

Kumpalume further urged all participants to use properly the skills gained acquired.

The training brought together experts from all 10 Southern African countries who will be trained to train other practitioners in the continent.