Every Year, 7th April is observed as World Health Day to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948.

Taking encouragement from WHO’s theme this year, ‘Universal Health Coverage: everyone everywhere’, Bhutan takes the challenge to eliminate Cervical Cancer.

The fact that Bhutan is losing lots of our women to this disease is a clear indication of the many loopholes in our health care system because cervical cancer is:

-Easily preventable

-Easily detectable

-Easily treatable and curable.

I commit to strengthen our Universal Health Coverage package and not let our Mothers, Sisters and Daughters fall prey to this Easily preventable, detectible and curable disease.

During the 144th session of the WHO Executive Board, Bhutan committed to eliminate cervical cancer. Under this cause, the government will conduct awareness and pap-smear screening for all women in the country.

The Ministry of health launches the Cervical Cancer Awareness month today in Gasa with comprehensive package of Pap-Smear Screening services for the women of Three Gewogs – Khamaed, Khatoed & Laya from 4-6 April 2019. Additionally, using the Election Advertisement Boards in all 20 Dzongkhags, the Ministry will create awareness messages on priority public health.

As we celebrate the World Health Day, I urge our women to undertake screenings to eliminate cervical cancer in our nation.

Let us build a cervical cancer-free nation.

Tashi Delek!