Thousands of Indigenous women to benefit from cancer awareness, screening

Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 21:43 by Writer

More than 5,000 Indigenous women are to benefit from cancer awareness and screening, through collaboration between the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA).

The GRPA said on Tuesday that a project titled “Empowering Communities: HPV Education and Screening for Indigenous and Under-Resourced Populations in Guyana,” would see over 5,000 women across Regions 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9 benefiting from free HPV, pap smear and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screenings.

The aim of this project is to reduce the prevalence of the Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) in Guyana and to increase cervical cancer awareness in Indigenous rural hinterland communities and urban areas. To this end, the GRPA said it has embarked on a comprehensive HPV education and screening campaign.

Kobe Smith, Executive Director at GRPA, shared over the weekend of January 25-26, 2025, that 30 peer educators were trained to support HPV education. In addition, 50 healthcare workers will be trained to support this education and screening drive. 

“We are thrilled to launch this initiative, a vital step in empowering women in the hinterland and under-resourced populations with the knowledge and tools they need to detect cancer early. Early detection saves lives, and by providing accessible resources and education, we hope to reduce the impact of cancer and support women on their journey toward improved health and well-being. Together, we can make a significant difference in the fight against cancer,” Smith said.

He noted that the GRPA has also collaborated with the Ministry of Health amongst other stakeholders on the project, to align its efforts with national health priorities.

During her address to the attendees at the Peer Educator Training, GGI Coordinator, Candacia Phillips, highlighted the collaboration between GRPA and GGI, which aims to build capacity of local communities to ensure that the benefits of HPV education and screening extend well into the future. 

Phillips further emphasized the programme’s focus on sustainability by positing that “This initiative goes beyond immediate outcomes; it’s about creating lasting impact… we are establishing a long-term framework for progress by empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being.” 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 1 in 10 women in Guyana have been screened for cervical cancer in the last five years. Recent data from the Ministry of Health in 2022, has revealed that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Guyana. HPV remains the leading cause of cervical cancer among women. 

The Greater Guyana Initiative is a US$100 million, 10-year investment made by the Stabroek Block co-venturers – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. It is geared towards developing the local workforce, building human capacity, enhancing education, and improving healthcare, aimed at promoting sustainable economic diversification in Guyana.