Phnom Penh, July 4, 2024 – Professor Im Sithikar, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, led a pivotal meeting focused on non-communicable diseases in gynecology, particularly addressing the critical issue of cervical cancer through a new HPV screening project in Kampong Cham province.

The meeting convened on the morning of July 4, 2024, and was attended by key figures including Professor Kruy Leang Sim, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, Krouch Rayonet, Advisor to the Ministry of Health, and representatives from both the Department of Health Protection and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Dr. Rei Haruyama presented an overview of the HPV Screening Project’s implementation in Kampong Cham, the current standard operating procedures for cervical cancer screening and treatment, and the results of a recent local survey conducted in June 2024. The discussions also set the stage for a forthcoming workshop aimed at refining the direction of cervical cancer screening based on HPV testing. This workshop will consider who will be invited to discuss and share methodologies for HPV testing.

Professor Sithikar expressed gratitude to Dr. Haruyama and his team for initiating the project, which aligns with the Ministry of Health’s priority to train healthcare providers, including midwives, nurses, and doctors, on how to conduct self-testing, manage sample collection, and follow up on positive test results.

In her closing remarks, Professor Sithikar emphasized the project’s role in enhancing HPV testing services and building the capacity of healthcare staff in Kampong Cham. She also encouraged JICA to consider expanding the project to other provinces, with the ambitious goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Cambodia by 2030.