PORT MORESBY, 16 AUGUST 2018 (POST COURIER) – The APEC life science innovation forum roundtable discussion on human papilloma virus and cervical cancer during SOM 3 brought together professionals from APEC regions to advance discussions on the two issues.
Focus is now on how APEC economies advancing implementation of the APEC roadmap to discuss challenges, experiences, and the best practices to accelerate action and scale-up implementation in response to the global call to eliminate cervical cancer.
The roadmap that APEC Cervical Cancer Expert Group is focusing on includes:
– Collating a library of resources for planners and decision-makers;
– Building a community of practice to share new knowledge quickly;
– Providing information-sharing opportunities within the APEC economies; and
– Covering policy dialogues and workshop on HPV and cervical cancer control.
Cervical cancer is one of the major health concerns, and the effort by member economies to participate in the roundtable to address this health issue demonstrates economies commitment to bring about the outcome that is beneficial to all.
Cancer burden has been affecting many families and economies, and is expensive to treat.
PNG, as the host economy, has commended all invited guests and technical experts from the private sector and international organisations for coming to the meeting to share their experiences with member and non-member economies on the best approach to address HPV and cervical cancer in the region.
Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, in his opening remarks emphasised that such engagement is crucial for the prosperity of the economies in the region.
“The issues and challenges affecting cancer sufferers to access basic services are enormous.
“Cancers are expensive to treat and we also know that cancer in woman affects children and family.
“Sharing our knowledge, experience and learning from each other is very useful and economical,” said Kase.
The round table discussion on cervical cancer through information-sharing across local and global economies with diverse resource levels can have substantial impact on public health, and in turn promote trade, security, inclusive growth and development in line with the APEC mandate.
