Important milestone achieved – the first HPV test-based cervical cancer screening campaign conducted at Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital

From 18^th to 22^nd May, Kampong Cham Provincial Department (PHD), in collaboration with Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital (PH), initiated HPV test-based cervical cancer screening campaign under the Joint Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Control Project. This campaign marks the very first implementation of HPV test-based screening in Kampong Cham Province. It is a significant step in creating a comprehensive cervical cancer care pathway that allows eligible women to access screening, diagnosis, and precancer treatment services locally, without traveling to Phnom Penh.

At the launching ceremony of this campaign, H.E. Dr. Ngov Kang, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health and Project Director of the NCD Control Project, expressed his gratitude to JICA for its continuous support and emphasized his strong commitment to working closely with JICA to address NCDs, including cervical cancer, in Cambodia. He expects Kampong Cham Province to be a model in implementing HPV test-based screening for other provinces to follow. For this ceremony, representatives of JICA Cambodia Office, Dr. Va Savuth, Director of Kampong Cham PHD and Prof. Yin Sinath, Director of Kampong Cham PH, also joined.

During the five days campaign, a total of 168 pre-registered women from 4 villages in Kampong Cham Province aged 30-49 years old joined. For those women who are tested HPV positive, Kampong Cham PH will follow up and provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment. The second campaign is planned for late 2026. The Project is committed to further strengthening the implementation of HPV test-based screening at Kampong Cham PH. This campaign marks a significant step toward expanding access to cervical cancer services in Cambodia.