Health and safety are key topics of conversation at Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) as the company rolls out its HPV screening program.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, can cause cervical cancer and is spread through intimate contact.
OTML is aiming its HPV screening and treatment program at the prevention of cervical cancer, delivering this essential service to its employees, business partners, government departments and communities across its operations.
The program, made possible through support of the Ok Tedi Women’s Network, will be administered by the Tabubil Hospital every Tuesday. Results are expected within 48 hours of screening, and pap smears will also be offered.
“This program is a major milestone and will play a critical role in protecting women’s health by enabling the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer,” OTML manager – health services Raymond Singamis said.
“Apart from the screening process, OTML has added a bonus activity for those women who test positive for high-risk HPV types by providing treatment.”
The HPV screening test will take less than five minutes and requires no hospitalisation or anaesthesia. If the test returns a positive result, it indicates the presence of HPV which can then be easily treated at the hospital.
If the test finds a cervical lesion during screening, the patient will be referred to the gynaecology team for further assessment and treatment.
“OTML has a corporate social responsibility to the people of Western Province and Papua New Guinea to provide lifesaving health interventions for our girls and women,” the company said.
“As a development partner, OTML is committed to improving the health services for our workforce and surrounding community.”
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