Gynaecologists from the Republic of Moldova will participate in the International Training Program for cervical cancer prevention

This training program is organized for the first time in the Republic of Moldova and is a result of the regional cooperation partnership between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and the UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and Moldovan Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova.

The training program will last six months, from June to December 2017, and it contains both theoretical and practical sessions, as well as on-line modules that include lectures by international experts and practical case studies. Gynaecologists will obtain international certification.

"The main purpose of colposcopy is not to identify cancer but to detect, describe and treat precancerous lesions to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical lesions, once identified at precancerous stage, can be treated simply and cost-effectively in the ambulatory care settings. Once the colposcopy specialists are trained, most cases can be treated at level of rayon", State Secretary, Ministry of Health, Rodica Scutelnic, said at the launch event.

The launch of the training program took place in the framework of the first official visit to the Republic of Moldova of the UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Asia, Alanna Armitage. "Preventing cervical cancer is one of UNFPA's top priorities in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, where the number of cases of cervical cancer is ten times higher than in Western Europe. UNFPA supports the Ministry of Health, along with other partners, in order to ensure that every woman has access to quality services and is able to fulfil her sexual and reproductive rights, prevent cervical cancer and stay healthy", said Alanna Armitage.

Cervical cancer is a major problem in the Republic of Moldova, being one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among women. Every day, a woman in the Republic of Moldova is diagnosed with this disease, and every two days a woman dies of cervical cancer.

"The Moldovan Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, which was instituted in June 2016, has the mission to improve quality of the colposcopy services in the Republic of Moldova by promoting good practices, providing quality professional expertise, improving the cervical screening programme, providing professional training for colposcopy specialists", reiterated Iurie Dondiuc, President of the C Moldovan Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, associate professor.

Cervical cancer screening programs can prevent up to 80% of all cases of disease. All women aged between 25 and 61 years in the Republic of Moldova shall pass a cervical cancer screening once every three years.

The training program is an important step in ensuring that women in the Republic of Moldova have access to screening services that meet international quality standards. Prevention of cervical cancer is part of a comprehensive program supported by UNFPA in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the International Association for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and the World Health Organization. More than half of the women eligible for cervical screening currently benefit from prevention services.