The fight against cervical cancer took a new shape with media advocacy training for women in Dominica. Several participants from the media were on hand to be part of the Media Advocacy Training on Cervical Cancer Control and Management Guidelines. The whole objective of the programme is to empower women to get screened for cervical cancer with a view to preventing its occurrence.
The programme was initiated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services and supported by the Health Promotion Unit in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The venue for the event was the Dominica Public Service Union building.
Acting Health Promotion Coordinator, Mignon Rolle-Shillingford, said the major aim of the training was to prevent cervical cancer in women. She said cervical cancer is the second-high
est killer disease among women, and it may become the Number One if not tackled with vigour and absolute dedication. She said the collaboration with PAHO will enable the Ministry of Health to update the guidelines and protocols for cancer screening in women.
Rolle-Shillingford also said there is the need to implement the development and administration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. She disclosed that the event organizers had evaluated the implementation of HPV vaccine in other Caribbean countries and will be executing these procedures in the country. According to her, this effort will take off this school term, and will also include children.
“We have done all of our healthcare providers; we have done the media; we still have to do our teachers, our education providers,” Shillingford said. “We will also be going to the PTA’s, to communities, the churches. We are going to ensure that we leave no stone unturned.”
PAHO County Programme Specialist, Anneke Wilson, said the overall event was a great success. She said the organizers still require media partnership for proper coverage to get everyone involved, and this includes teachers, parents, health practitioners, media outfits and community leaders.
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