Drive vs cervical cancer stepped up

The Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) and Sanofi-Synthelabo Phils. inked yesterday a memorandum of agreement aimed at intensifying efforts to promote proper feminine health care as a preventive measure in the fight against cervical cancer.

In signing ceremonies held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, the country’s top obgynecologists, led by its president, Dr. Lyra Ruth Clemente-Chua, and Sanofi-Synthelabo Phils. president Peter Dolinsky, affirmed their commitment to cooperate and collaborate with each other in contributing to the promotion of women’s health in the country.

Chua stressed the need to further educate the public on the importance of cervical cancer screening. She cited the numerous POGS outreach projects which keep the group busy in serving people in different parts of the country.

On the other hand, Dolinsky pointed out, "We need to strengthen our resolve to raise awareness on the importance of optimum feminine hygiene to curb the incidence of women’s diseases such as common vaginal infections and the dreaded cervical cancer."

He added, "If we are united in effort and spirit in spreading information on female reproductive health and in extending medical assistance, we can surely contribute in a meaningful way to the upliftment of the well-being of Filipino women and of the country as a whole."

POGS is the organization of the country’s obstetricians and gynecologists. It was established in 1946 to promote the science and art of obstetrics and gynecology and the betterment of public health as well as to promote the practice of these specialties in the Philippines.

POGS members go through a Continuing Medical Education Program to keep themselves updated on current developments and trends in their area of specialization.

Through the years, POGS has undertaken initiatives such as the Living Blood Bank, Consultancy Visit Program, Balikatan Para sa Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina, and the POGS Outreach Specialty Clinic. Regional chapter members also initiate livelihood programs to benefit families in depressed areas.

This year, POGS and Sanofi-Synthelabo will jointly undertake pap smear screening tests nationwide to raise awareness on the gravity of cervical cancer as a life-threatening disease.

Free pap smear tests are scheduled on Feb. 19 at the Out-Patient Department of the St. Luke’s Medical Center and on Feb. 26 at the Medical City, from 8 a.m. to noon.

At the MOA signing, Sanofi-Synthelabo, the fastest growing major pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, relaunched its "A Peso to Detect, A Peso to Protect" campaign. Through this project, Sanofi-Synthelabo pledges to donate one peso for every Lactacyd bottle sold in selected supermarkets, grocery stores or drugstores to the Cervical Cancer Screening Campaign.

Cervical cancer is 100 percent preventable and may be curable. It can be eradicated if detected early. In the Philippines, statistics show that about 4,000 new cases of cervical cancer among Filipinas were noted last year.

Through the "Nationwide Pap Smear Screening Campaign’ of POGS and Sanofi-Synthelabo Phils., it is hoped that the joint community service will contribute in a meaningful way to the upliftment and well-being of Filipino women.