The health ministry is observing April month as a cervical cancer awareness month across the country. The awareness month was launched coinciding with the World Health Day celebration in Gasa on April 7.
The day was observed on a national theme, “Towards Elimination of Cervical Cancer.”
Bhutan has committed to eliminate cervical cancer at the 144th session of the World Health Organization (WHO)Executive Board held in Geneva, Switzerland in January this year.
Cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and is preventable if detected early.
The election advertisement boards are used to disseminate information on cervical cancer and encourage women between 25 to 65 to undergo a pap smear test.
“We have vaccination to prevent diseases for young women. We have treatment in case if the disease is detected at the earliest. There are plans and policies to provide vaccination and medicine. So, I am sure that our country will be able to eliminate cervical cancer,” Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said.
As part of the cervical cancer awareness month, health officials conducted Pap test for more than 250 women from Khatoed, Khamaed and Laya Gewogs.
