Minister for Health and Wellness, Sir Molwyn Joseph, addressed the Cabinet on Wednesday regarding the importance of a cervical cancer awareness campaign, which would run alongside the government’s ongoing education efforts.
The Minister’s proposal was endorsed by the Cabinet, which approved the engagement of a local expert to advise on and oversee this aspect of the campaign.
Sir Molwyn also addressed the issue of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the Cabinet has approved the implementation of a mobile testing unit, which will travel across the island, offering screenings for NCDs.
Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister Maurice Merchant said this initiative is in line with a programme that is being run by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
He notes that this initiative will involve senior health officials and trainee nurses working together. Their goal is two-fold, to raise public awareness about Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and to offer free testing services to people throughout the country.
“And the cabinet agreed that the ministry should get a mobile unit, or to put back in use its mobile unit that was being used, of course, during the whole COVID pandemic, to use that mobile unit to pursue testing across Antigua and Barbuda, high blood pressure, diabetes, all of the NCDs to provide tests. And that mobile unit will crisscross the country,” Merchant said.
He also said that two prominent doctors will be recruited to help design and implement a public education campaign on NCDs.
The director general of communications added, “This campaign will also highlight the risks associated with smoking and will utilize the Government Information Service (GIS) along with all major social media platforms to reach the public.”
The programme is expected to be implemented in 30 days.
