A workshop on cervical cancer screening accredited by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOH) was organized by Cytomed, with the partnership of National Reference Laboratory and Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday, 28th April 2016. Held at GMU, the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program Implementation Workshop titled ’Cervical Cancer Screening Workshop’ was organized as part of the government’s efforts to tackle the prevalence of cervical cancer among the public.
Dr. Esmat Mohammed Alqassim, Consultant Family Physician and Head of MCH was the chief guest of the opening session. Stressing the significance of the workshop, she said that as the head of MCH, she was very keen on the success of the preventive screening for cervical, breast and colon cancers.
Doctors from Primary Healthcare Centers of MOH, Ras Al Khaimah participated in the workshop. Topics discussed at the workshop included: Cervical Cancer Epidemiology, Causes & Risk Factors by Dr. Osman Ortashi – Head of Gynecology, Healthpoint Hospital, The Cervical Screening Program in UAE – Role of PHC by Dr. Latifa Al Awadhi – Specialist Mother and Child Care, MOH, Cervical Pap Tests: Tips for Collection and Sending to the Laboratory by Dr. Basil – Director of National Reference Lab, Abu Dhabi, Cervical Smear Interpretation – When to Refer to Colposcopy – Discussion of cases by Dr. Osman Ortashi – Head of Gynecology, Healthpoint Hospital, Counseling for Cervical Smear Results by Dr. Kalpana Golani, Gulf Medical University, Ajman. The expert sessions were followed by practical works shop, hands on training on gynecological examination and smear taking.
The participants were later taken on a tour of CABRI, the state-of-the-art research & diagnostic facility established at the Gulf Medi¬cal University, which also serves as the central facility of Thumbay Labs. They were briefed about the latest facilities at CABRI for newborn screening, genetic testing and other equipment. They were also given a demonstration of the Pap Smear and HPV tests for cervical cancer screening.
Dr. P. K. Menon, Director of Thumbay Labs said that the latest screening techniques were very important for the early detection of cancer. “Screening tests like Pap Smear & HPV have high accuracy and are reliable, making cervical cancer easily detectable and treatable,” he added.