BPJS Invite Women’s Leaders to Attend Cervical Cancer Socialisation in Bone, South Sulawesi

On Tuesday, 26 July 2016, Healthcare and Social Security Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan or “BPJS Kesehatan”) Watampone Branch, held a “Socialisation of Cervical Cancer” regarding to concurrent examination of VIA test and Pap smears. The activity was held in the Meeting Hall of Pesantren Biru, Biru Village, Tanete Riattang District, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi. It was attended by representative of constituents group which assisted by LPP (Institute for Women’s Empowerment) Bone and the Women Headed Houshold Empowerment (Pemberdayaan Perempuan Kepala Keluarga/ PEKKA).

There were 48 women participated in this activity, in which regarded as women’s leaders and movers of society at the lower level. They are consider to convey and invite other women to attend the VIA test and Pap smears concurrent examination on 29 July 2016.

In their speech, the BPJS representatives expected all of women to not be shy and reluctant to check their reproductive health for the prevention of cervical cancer which is common in women. BPJS already provide free VIA test and pap smear examination for JKN (National Health Insurance) participants.

The resource person for the socialisation are dr. Nuraeni from dr. M. Yasin Watampone Hospital and dr. Elvira Sungkar M.Ked (OG) SpOG from Bone Tenriawaru Hospital. They explained about the causes of cervical cancer symptoms. They also encouraged participants to invite other women to check themselves as a form of cervical cancer prevention and control, as well as regular checkups through VIA test, Pap smear, and HPV.

At the end of the activity, BPJS urged to the public especially women, to immediately check themselves at the nearest health center for cervical cancer early detection that simultaneously conducted on 29 July 2016. There were several health center points (puskesmas) for the service for JKN participants, such as:

• Service points for early detection of cervical cancer by using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) method:

1. Puskesmas Watampone (Jl. Besse Kajuara)
2. Puskesmas Bajoe (Jl. Yos Sudarso)
3. Ulaweng Health Center (Taccipi Village, Cinnong, Ulaweng district)
4. Puskesmas Mare (Tellu Boccoe village, Padaelo, Mare district)

• Service points for early detection of cervical cancer with Pap smear method: TNI Hospital Tk. IV M.Yasin Watampone (Jl. Jend. Sudirman Watampone).