Close to 137 women have tested positive for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer.
These statistics were revealed following a Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ family health unit pilot HPV screen-and-treat program that was conducted in Levuka, Galoa, and Lyndhurst in July last year.
Highlighting this during a handover ceremony for cervical cancer HPV testing kits in Suva recently, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said the women who were screened positive were assessed for their eligibility for thermal ablation and offered treatment upon obtaining consent.
“The Ministry of Health & Medical Services’ family health unit conducted a pilot HPV screen and treat program in July last year in Levuka, Galoa and Lyndhurst,” he said.
“This pilot screening demonstrated the need to continue HPV screening and offer same day treatment to women who would otherwise have difficulty in accessing healthcare services at a later time due to financial, geographical or social barriers.”
The minister said women from other parts of Fiji were also expected to have similar positivity rates, with some regions having higher or even lower HPV prevalence.
“The pilot screening was funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and they also funded the revision of the 2015 Cervical Cancer Screening Policy which has now been updated to Fiji’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Policy 2025-2030.
“The final draft will be presented to the National Health Executive Committee meeting this month.
“This is in line with the World Health Organisation’s elimination targets and Fiji’s commitment to have a cervical cancer-free Fiji in the near future.”
Dr Lalabalavu said UNFPA has also committed to support the Northern Division rollout of HPV testing by providing about 2000 of each of the consumables needed for screening and three thermal ablation devices for treatment.
“Women aged between 30 and 59 years will be given a swab for self-collection of vaginal specimen, which is processed in GX machines.”
