New Ireland Province gets new cervical screening and treatment clinic

Women in New Ireland Province are being encouraged to get checked and tested at the newly established Stellamaris Cervical Cancer screening clinic in Kavieng town.

The clinic was officially opened last week (March 1) by New Ireland provincial hospital CEO Dr. Stennard Hiashiri, obstetrician-gynecologist at the New Ireland PHA Dr. Paula Zzferio, New Ireland acting provincial administrator Richard Andia and witnessed by provincial executive council (PEC) chairlady for Health Misbil Nelson.

Leading obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr Zzferio said on average 15 to 30 cases are admitted to the Gynecology ward at the Kavieng General Hospital every year.

“Majority of patients present late in the advanced stage. Cervical cancer is easy to detect and treated if found,” he said.

“I encourage women between the ages of 30-59 to come for screening, testing and treatment.

“The newly established clinic will provide screening for high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (hrHPV) that causes Cervical cancer and offer same day treatment with Thermoablative therapy.

“The machine gives instant results of cervical cancer, either positive or negative within an hour. We no longer have to wait for months to get the results back after testing.

New Ireland becomes the second province in the country after Western highlands to offer treatment for cervical cancer where women are screened and treated on the same day using the Thermoablation and Gene Xpert Machine.

CEO Dr. Stennard Hiashiri thanked the Catholic Church for allowing the new Stellamaris Cervical Cancer Clinic to operate out of the church property at Tohain Junction- N4C Kavieng town, further commending the partnerships between the PHA, donor partners Australian Government and the New Ireland Provincial Government.

Misbil Nelson praised the previous New Ireland Provincial Health Authority boards and CEO's for the leadership taken to roll-out the Cervical Cancer Elimination project further commending the partnership between New Ireland Health Authority, New Ireland Provincial Government (NIPG), Church and donor partners.

She reiterated governor Sir Julius Chan’s call during the launching of the Cervical Cancer Elimination and Prevention Program in May 2023 that this was an impact program that will benefit and save the lives of many mothers in New Ireland.

Provincial Member Chief Sir Julius Chan has also registered the proposed Provincial Health Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 to decentralize PHA to the provincial governments as a private member’s bill and is before Parliament for deliberation. 

The Cervical Cancer Elimination project is being funded by the Australian Government.