KATHMANDU:

MSN in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Rajdhani has launched "Mahila Swastha Upahaar", a coupon for free Cervical Cancer Screening at its clinics throughout Nepal. The collaboration between MSN and RC will enhance the access to cervical cancer screening among women in different parts of Nepal.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal, with 2,942 new cases (21.5 per 100,000 women) and 1,928 deaths (14.3 per 100,000 women) in the year 2018 alone. Fewer than 1 in 10 women have been screened for cervical cancer in the last 5 years. In the world, every two minutes a woman dies of Cervical Cancer, yet awareness among women is rare. Such death can be averted by encouraging women above 30 years to avail screening of cervical cancer in time.

This is a gift coupon and will only be distributed through the members of Rotary clubs. To avail this service, coupon bearer needs to call MSN/SPN centre at 1143 toll-free help line to book an appointment at their desired location. The screening uses the Visual Inspection of cervix with Acetic acid (VIA) and can detect initial stages of cervical cancer as early as three years.

Commenting on the value of the coupon program launched, Dr. Bibek Lal, Director, Family Welfare Division, Government of Nepal said: "Prevention is the most important step in reducing the cases of cervical cancer. This coupon program will boost check-up and hence promote prevention of cervical cancer in Nepal. World Health Organization has launched the goal to eliminate Cervical Cancer within 2030 and this coupon program is a positive step towards achieving that goal in Nepal."

President of Rotary club of Rajdhani, KP Upadhyay remarked: "We aim to maximize the reach of the coupon among women of Nepal through our Rotary network so that screening for cervical cancer will be significantly accelerated."

Program Manager at Australian Aid, Kavitha Kasyanathan commented: "Preventing cervical cancer is among top priority programs of Australian Aid so we plan to support this coupon program with our best efforts."

Tushar Niroula, Executive Director, Marie Stopes Nepal said: "The data on the state of cervical cancer among women in Nepal is alarming. Every step taken towards preventing cervical cancer needs to be supported by all the concerned bodies as soon as possible."

Marie Stopes Nepal with the support of the Government of Nepal and community groups like Rotary Club of Rajdhani has committed to maximizing the screening of woman throughout Nepal with the goal of decreasing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality in the coming years.

MSN clinics are located at Chuchchepati, Satdobato, Putalisadak, Gongabu inside Kathmandu valley and Itahari, Lahan, Biratnagar, Birtamod, Lalbandi, Birgunj, Narayanghat, Bardaghat, Dumre, Pokhara, Surkhet, Dang, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Chandrauta, Taulihawa, Kohalpur and Attariya outside Kathmandu valley.