The Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA) continues to set the benchmark for cervical cancer prevention in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, with its successful Cervical Cancer Project now inspiring other provincial health authorities to establish similar services.
Last Thursday, 22 female staff from the Simbu Provincial Health Authority (SiPHA) including Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Dr. Megan Kona, Paediatric Medical Officer Dr Tyrah Yapao, one HEO, and nurses from the Paediatric and GynaecologyWards, attended the Cervical Cancer Clinic at Mt Hagen Specialist Hospital for screening and testing.
Of the group, 12 women tested positive for precancerous cervical cancer lesion and received same day thermal ablation treatment before returning to Simbu later that afternoon. This screen and treat approach is a key component of Western Highlands PHA’s cervical cancer elimination strategy, ensuring women receive timely treatment before the disease progresses.
Dr. Kona explained that the visit was motivated by an increasing number of women presenting with advanced cervical cancer in Simbu.
“We have admitted more than 100 cervical cancer cases to our ward. Too often, we are faced with heartbreaking tasks of informing mothers and families that very little can be done because the disease has been detected too late. It is a difficult conversation to have. That is why I have made a personal mission together with my senior consultant, to establish cervical cancer screening services in Simbu,” she said.
She highlighted WHPHA’s achievements in meeting the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 targets as a model for other provinces.
“I presented WHPHA’s work to our CEO, Dr. Ken Kassi, during our grand round recently and he was impressed and agreed we should follow WHPHA’s example. It has been a tough process, but seeing their success gives us hope,” she said.
Dr. Kona added that another reason for the team’s visit was the positive testimony from one of her midwives, who had previously accessed WHPHA’s cervical cancer service. Inspired by that experience, she felt compelled to organize internal screenings for her staff.
“I felt a deep responsibility to ensure my team had access to this service. That is why we came today, and we plan to continue weekly visits, because cervical cancer screening is important for the health and wellbeing of women in Simbu.”
In a follow-up interview this morning, Dr. Kona praised Project Manager Dr. Paulus Ripa, Project Coordinator Ms. Josephine Gabuzzi, and the Cervical Cancer Clinic team for their dedication and lead in this project.
“The response from our staff has been overwhelmingly positive. After we returned to Simbu, news of the screening spread quickly throughout the organization. Many more female staff members have expressed interest. Already 23 have confirmed their participation in the next screening visit, with additional staff continuing to register,” she said.
The second batch of SiPHA staff is scheduled to return to Mt Hagen this week for cervical cancer screening.
This makes Simbu the second Provincial Health Authority to access WHPHA’s cervical cancer screening and testing services, following the Eastern Highlands team in 2023, which included nurses and teachers.
WHPHA’s Cervical Cancer Project has become a shining example of progress, not only saving lives in the Western Highlands but also giving hope to other provinces to adopt evidence-based screening and treatment services.
