Cervical cancer continues to be a significant public health challenge worldwide.
Ranked as the fourth most common cancer, it has had a devastating impact on women's health globally.
In 2020 alone, over 300,000 women will have lost their lives to this disease, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and effective prevention strategies.
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month observed in Outapi served as a reminder of the significant impact of cervical cancer on women's health and the urgent need for education and early intervention.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Health Minister Ester Muinjangue said the event is aimed at raising awareness about cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, highlighting the importance of community engagement in combating this preventable disease.
In Namibia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer, and it is estimated that 236 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 135 women die from the disease annually.
"Since 2018, public health facilities have screened 138,992 women using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and pap smear screening methods, yet there remains a significant number of women who have not been screened yet. Women living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, as HIV increases the chances of developing cervical cancer sixfold," says Ester Muinjangue, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services.
Muinjangue added that the incidence and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer can be reduced significantly through increased awareness and improved healthcare services.
The event provided an opportunity for health professionals to share insights and best practices regarding cervical cancer prevention and treatment.
"By promoting awareness, regular screenings, and access to quality healthcare, we are not only preventing illness but also nurturing a society that values the well-being of its citizens."
All public health facilities around the country will be providing unscaled cervical cancer screening services until Friday.