Over 2,000 HPV test kits donated to boost cervical cancer prevention in Fiji

More women will now be able to get tested for cervical issues as the Ministry of Health has received a donation of over 2,000 expert HPV assay kits and other essential supplies.

While speaking at the handing over ceremony, UNFPA Pacific Director and representative Bidisha Pillai says this is part of their shared commitment and long-standing partnership with the Government of Fiji, especially the Ministry of Health, on women's sexual and reproductive health and rights.

They have also donated 2,100 R&M nylon flux swabs, 2,000 PreservCyt Solution vials, and 1,000 self-adhesive freezer labels, as well as three thermal ablation devices from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

She says this is to ensure that we end all forms of preventable maternal death, strengthen women's health, end unmet need for family planning and end sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Pillai says this is part of the test and treat program for ending cervical cancer.

She adds that they aim to reduce it to as low as zero, if possible, over the next few years, and this is fundamentally their strategy to focus on early detection, prompt treatment, and ultimately saving lives that could be saved.

The UNFPA Pacific Director says these supplies are vital for the rollout of the Test and Treat Program for the Northern Division commencing in July this year.

While receiving the critical HPV testing kits, Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says these testing kits are used to collect samples, typically a virginal or cervical swab, for testing to detect the presence of the virus.

He says these kits can save the lives of women in Fiji through early detection of cervical cancers.

Dr Lalabalavu says women aged between 30 to 59 years will be given a swab for self-collection of vaginal specimens, which are processed in GX machines.

He adds all information is entered into the digital data entry platform called Canscreen, which was set up in close collaboration with the Australian Centre for Prevention of Cervical Cancer.