Intensify Action Against Cancer
Pretoria, 31 May 2012 -- The Acting World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative in South Africa, Dr Francis Kasolo, called on participants at the closing ceremony of the WHO Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Regional Consultation, held in Pretoria, South Africa, to intensify action against cancer in their respective countries, in line with the 58th session of the World Health Assembly resolution on cancer prevention and control, that calls upon Member States to implement Cancer Control through: prevention (HPV vaccination and screening), early detection, diagnosis & treatment and palliative care.
The three day consultation emphasized the following:
1. That the WHO African region is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality related to cervical cancer
2. That countries thinking of introducing cervical cancer prevention and control programs can learn from our brothers and sisters who
have already introduced these programs and not re-invent the wheel
3. That a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control that involves prevention (HPV vaccination and screening), early detection, diagnosis & treatment and palliative care is the best way of ensuring a successful CCCP
4. And that involvement of all stakeholders at community level is a surest way of ensuring success of the CCCP.
Concluding his closing remarks, Dr Kasolo reminded the participants that as they return to their respective countries, “it is the hope of WHO and indeed the partners represented at this meeting, that you will actively pursue measures that will translate the discussions and recommendations from this meeting into reality”.
