ALL ten Regions in Guyana will now be better equipped to deal with one of the nation’s biggest health risks, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which often leads to cancer.

Ministry of Health has introduced HPV testing vouchers, a move that is part of a comprehensive plan to address a range of cancers, particularly cervical cancer. The initiative was officially launched on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, with the aim of equipping all ten regions of Guyana with these vouchers by Monday morning.

The launch event was attended by various health officials and stakeholders who emphasised the critical nature of this initiative in the broader context of public health and cancer prevention.

The event saw support from a wide range of government and non-governmental organisations, among them The Periwinkle Foundation, Saving Hope Foundation and the Mount Sinai Hospital. Representatives from a number of ministries were also present.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, delivered a compelling address in which he outlined the strategy before underscoring the urgency of early detection and intervention in combating HPV-related cancers.

Dr. Latchmie Lall, Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Programme, provided a detailed overview of the ministry’s ambitious plan.
She highlighted that the plan, launched in April, aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer. This strategy aims to vaccinate 90 per cent of boys and girls aged 9-15 against HPV, with plans to extend this vaccination to women aged 16-45.

“In April of this year, the Ministry of Health launched its ambitious plan for the elimination of cervical cancer, targeting 2024-2030,” Dr. Lall said adding, “We are committed to following the WHO’s guidance and ensuring broad vaccination coverage to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.”

Moreover, Dr. Ertensia Hamilton, Director of Primary Healthcare, stressed the importance of making healthcare services accessible to everyone. She noted that the success of this initiative depends on reaching women and girls across all regions of Guyana. Dr. Hamilton stated, “It can’t be over-emphasised how important women and girls are in a country as it relates to health and its development.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Radha Sookraj, Registrar of OBGYN at Georgetown Public Hospital, provided stark statistics on the global challenge of cervical cancer, noting that it is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, with over 600,000 new cases and more than 350,000 deaths annually as of 2022.

She emphasised that cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination and early detection. “Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with HPV. It’s important because it relates to inequalities in access to vaccination, screening, and treatment services,” Dr. Sookraj explained.

“The ministry’s new initiative, guided by WHO guidelines, aims to eliminate
cervical cancer by 2030,” she said.
EARLY INTERVENTION

The health minister elaborated on the operational aspects of the HPV testing programme and its significance in early cancer detection.

He emphasised the necessity of timely testing and rapid results to facilitate early intervention. “We want to use all the capacity that we have in the country to ensure fast return times on HPV test results…Once the test is done, we should know the results within 96 hours,” Minister Anthony said.

The minister also highlighted the importance of expanding access to HPV testing across different age groups, specifically targeting individuals aged 21 to 65. He stressed that early detection is crucial in preventing the progression of cervical cancer.

Minister Anthony said: “We need to screen early to detect any changes on the cervix’s surface. Early intervention can prevent cancer from developing. Unfortunately, many come in when it’s too late, and cancer has already metastasised.”

The minister underscored the preventative nature of this initiative and the importance of community outreach to encourage vaccination and screening. He also announced the construction of new hospitals and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure to support this programme. “We have to talk to women and encourage them to get vaccinated,” he emphasised. “Preventative care is key, and with early screening, we can intervene before cancer develops.”

In addition to preventative measures, the minister highlighted plans to enhance cancer care through partnerships with international institutions like Mount Sinai. This collaboration aims to develop a comprehensive oncology programme to support patients at every stage of care. “Mount Sinai has been a key collaborator, working with us to develop an oncology programme,” the minister noted before adding, “Our goal is to provide a continuum of care, from prevention to treatment.”

Giving the closing remarks at the event was Co-ordinator of Regional Health Services – Indigenous Communities, Michael Gouveia.
He used the opportunity to commend the Government of Guyana for the work being done. He went on to urge Guyanese to be a part of the programme.
“I want to recognise the participation of the ministers of government. I also want to recognise the participation and the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, the regional health offices, the team that worked tirelessly behind bringing the programme to where it is today.”
He added, “I join with the team at the ministry and the government of Guyana in making the appeal that this programme be utilised.”
As the vouchers become available across all ten regions, the ministry is calling on all eligible individuals to take advantage of the testing services and participate in the broader effort to eliminate cervical cancer.