Over the last two weeks, experts from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan ran monitoring activities of the implementation of the joint UNDP-UNFPA Program “Building Resilience of Local Communities to Threats to Health, Environmental and Economic Insecurity in the Aral Sea Region”, carried out with financial assistance from the Government of Japan. Within the framework of this program, 8 districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan were provided with the latest equipment for human papillomavirus testing, aimed at early detection of cervical cancer; medical workers of 10 polyclinics were also trained.

Experts from the Ministry of Health visited the pilot districts and with the medical workers involved in the program discussed the progress of testing, current challenges and ways to overcome them. Along with monitoring, the experts conducted specialized consultations on the ground, and ran a number of pathomorphological tests and training sessions for gynecological oncologists working in Nukus.

Upon the completion of the monitoring activities, all project participants gathered to discuss the monitoring results. As a result of the joint work, 35% of tests were performed in 3 months, of which 5.2% tested positive for HPV. All patients with the identified virus were referred for further consultations and treatment by relevant specialists.

This project is aimed at early detection of cervical cancer – correct treatment can lead to the full cure of patients. All results obtained during the implementation of the program will be handed over to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan to inform the development of the National Strategy for the prevention of cancer diseases, including cervical cancer.