Cancer requires national approach, says Sir Puka

The National National

By MARTHA DERUAGE
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Sir Puka Temu says cancer is a national development issue which requires a national approach.
He said this when declaring January as cervical cancer awareness month and launching the national non-communicable disease multi-sectoral plan.
“Cancer is a national development issue and so it requires a national approach,” Sir Puka said.
“In Government, it has to be multi-sectoral approach.”
“We must view cancer as a national development issue.
“It cannot be regarded as anything else because it affects women who are important to the nation-building of this country.”
Sir Puka said the Government would be supportive towards cancer programmes and had allocated funds for cancer centres at Angau General Hospital in Laeand Port Moresby General Hospital.
He said K20 million would be allocated for a new cancer clinic in Port Moresby this year.
Sir Puka said the other key intervention was immunisation.
“Parents and teachers must be supportive in encouraging their daughters and students to take the human papillomavirus vaccinations because that will prevent cervical cancer,” he said.
Sir Puka also launched the National Non-Communicable Disease Multi-Sectoral Plan which has four main objectives:

  • Improve governance for non-communicable disease prevention and control;
  • Develop multi-sectorial programmes for the prevention, management and control of non-communicable diseases;
  • Provide effective screening, early detection, treatment and management of non-communicable diseases; and
  • Establish and strengthen monitoring, evaluation and surveillance of non-communicable diseases in PNG.