(22 February 2017) The Italian Ambassador to Sudan, Fabrizio Lobasso and the Country Representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) Lina Mousa signed a new agreement to launch the project "Prevention of cervical cancer in Sudan". The project, funded by the Italian Agency for Cooperation for Development in the amount of €400,000, will begin in March and will last for one year. The Italian Agency for Cooperation for Development continues its active collaboration with UNFPA to respond to the needs of the population, with particular attention to improving women's health in the context of humanitarian aid and development utilising experience gained in the field, thus renewing its commitment to supporting the health of women in Sudan. The initiative is part of the "10 years-in-5 strategy for reproductive, maternal, and paediatric health”, recently launched in Sudan’s National Public Health Plan, which aims to reduce the time for universal access to health. "We wish to emphasise the importance of women’s role of women in Sudanese society and give them more opportunity to improve their future through this initiative" according to Lobasso. Mousa also expressed her gratitude for Italy’s generous support for reproductive health in Sudan. (PO / Red)

PREVENTION

The objectives of the programme are to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the areas of Kassala, Gedaref and the Red Sea by increasing the necessary tests for prevention, followed by any appropriate treatment. The programme will see the collaboration of the Federal State Health with the State counterparts and civil organisations. According to the project estimates there are approximately 600,000 women who will benefit from awareness-raising activities in the communities, 60,000 of which will undergo specialised test and about 600 of which will have access to specific treatments.