KUCHING: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines once used for COVID-19 tests are now being reused to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
Political secretary to the Premier, Kho Teck Wan, said that the initiative is highly meaningful as it directly benefits society by raising awareness, supporting early cervical cancer screening and prevention in Sarawak.
“This started with our Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian about a year and a half ago mentioning that we still have many PCR machines left over from COVID-19.
“Many caring patients donated these machines to help during the pandemic, but now they are not being used.
“We should use them effectively. Therefore, we started this so-called reuse of the PCR machines for HPV tests,” she said.
She said this while representing Dr Sim when the officiating free HPV PCR testing for cervical cancer screening event held at Crown Square here on Saturday.
She added that the reuse of the PCR machines for HPV testing has been made possible thanks to the support of the Rose Foundation and the commitment of medical experts driving the initiative.
“With that, I would like to also urge all the ladies here, not only for HPV tests, but you should encourage all your children to get the vaccine.
She reminded parents that while many students are already included in the school vaccination programme, they should still watch for announcements from local health clinics to ensure their children are vaccinated, as this is one of the few preventable cancers.
“I urge all the ladies here, and all our friends, to stay well informed and to encourage your friends – especially the young ones – to get vaccinated.
“Vaccines need time to work, so early action is important,” she added.
The event also featured a special awareness lecture and sharing session by ROSE Foundation programme director, Dr Khoo Su Pei, who spoke on the importance of cervical cancer prevention and early detection.
More than 50 people attended the launch and screening session, which marked the start of the free HPV PCR testing for cervical cancer screening programme.
The initiative is hosted by the Che Hui Khor Moral Uplifting Society of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions, and jointly organised by its Women and Youth sections in collaboration with the ROSE Foundation under the ROSE-Etiqa Free Cervical Screening Programme.
