Bhaktapur, August 27

About 198 female prisoners in Central Jail at Jagannath Dewal, Kathmandu underwent Pap smear tests today.

Nepal Cancer Relief Society and Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital organised the health camp with the support of Nepal-India Friendship Association and Rotary Club of Bagmati.

During the camp, President of Nepal-India Friendship Association Om Sara Ogi and Rotary Club of Bagmati Rama assisted doctors and health workers.

“Cancer specialists and gynaecologists Dr Pranita Bhatta, Dr Usha  Bade Shrestha, Dr Sunita Dhancha, Dr Anita Thapa performed the Pap smear tests while 13 other female health workers instructed the inmates on early detection of  breast cancer,” informed Ishwor Shrestha, president of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. “A number of  women were referred to the hospital for further tests,” he added.

According to the President of Nepal Cancer Relief Society, Lokendra Kumar Shrestha, they were organising camps to reduce uterine and breast cancer among women across the country.

“The female prisoners have limited access to health services and on top of it, they are unaware of the origins and symptoms of cancer,” he said.