Ministry of Health Closes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with Service Emphasising Survivor Empowerment

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment, and Civil Service Affairs marked the close of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with a church service on February 1 at the All Saints Pentecostal Kingdom Life Centre, reinforcing the country’s commitment to prevention, early detection, and survivor empowerment.

The service brought together faith leaders, healthcare professionals, survivors, and key partners, including Health Minister Molwyn Joseph, Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige, Chief Medical Officer Kamaria DeCastro, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Teri-Ann Joseph, and Head of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force Cherrie Tulloch, alongside members of the Task Force and senior technical staff.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Joseph reflected on the month’s theme, “Empower the Survivors,” stressing that empowerment must translate into sustained national action. He said the observance was not only a conclusion to a month of activities but a reaffirmation of values centered on dignity, compassion, and protection of life.

Drawing on the Gospel of John, chapter four, the Minister referenced the woman of Samaria as an example of transformation—moving from personal experience to public purpose. He said the narrative reflects the Ministry’s approach to public health, where survivors play an active role beyond receiving care.

According to Minister Joseph, survivors are essential partners in prevention and education, helping to reduce stigma, encourage screening, and safeguard future generations. He emphasized that survivor empowerment is a strategic pillar of the national response, strengthening prevention systems, supporting early diagnosis, and building trust in healthcare services.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding access to HPV vaccination, improving screening and diagnostic services, ensuring equitable treatment, and providing continued support for survivors throughout their health journey.

“No woman should suffer from a preventable disease, and no survivor should be left without support,” he said, calling for collective action from churches, communities, and national institutions to eliminate cervical cancer as a public-health threat.

The Ministry continues to urge women and girls to take advantage of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination services available at public health clinics nationwide as part of the country’s elimination strategy.