Make women's health central in State planning - Kaseba

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

LET'S make women's health central in all Government planning, because they are the cornerstone of our society, First Lady Christine Kaseba has advised.

Dr Kaseba says it is important that the fight against cervical cancer is given adequate attention because it is not only a medical condition but also has a socio-economic, cultural and spiritual effect on women.

She said "We need to be more focused in the fight against any type of cancer in this country as more than 60 percent of the cases occur in low and middle income countries."

Dr Kaseba said this recently at the human papilloma virus (HPV) dissemination meeting in Lusaka.

"Last year over seven million lives were lost due to cervical cancer worldwide. It is projected that by 2030 there will be a rise in new cases from 13 million to 27 million," she said.

Dr Kaseba is, however, happy that treatment has improved in cervical cancer cases following the opening of the Cancer Disease Hospital at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.

"For the first time in the history of this nation, radiotherapy has been made available to the community," she said.

Speaking at the same occasion acting deputy director in the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health Penelope Kalesha disclosed that over 16,000 girls were given the human papilloma virus vaccine during the third round dosage as of December 2013.

This included grade four girls and those who are out of school. Dr Kalesha said 70 percent of the 25,000 girls was targeted in three districts in 2013.

This year 25,000 girls are expected to be vaccinated.

She also said the 2013 HPV exercise will be used to determine the capacity for the national roll-out plan scheduled for next year.

"Reaching 50,000 girls in grade four and out of school required tremendous effort from all stakeholders.

Initially the introduction of this HPV vaccine will be for two years and last year our target was 25,000 girls and this year the remaining 25,000 girls are targeted," Dr Kalesha said.