A total of K986,000 has been raised by Boroko Rotary Club with the support of Rotary International to vaccinate 28,000 girls in Port Moresby against cervical cancer.
This amount is to cover all three electorates - girls between the ages of 9 to 14, in Grades 3-8, in both public and private primary schools.
The rollout of this project after years of trying to secure funds has been described as an achievement.
It is anticipated that Boroko Rotary will fund the vaccination of the girls in POM going from Grade 2 to Grade 3 next year, and also trial a rural Project in another province in 2018.
These vaccinations are the only medicines that can actually prevent cervical cancer in women.
The HPV vaccination has been administered to more than 10 million women worldwide over the last 10 years without any significant side effects.
“We hope and pray that no school girls in Port Moresby miss out on this great opportunity, since the vaccine is a life saver. And thanks to Boroko Rotary, parents and guardians do not have to pay the normally very high fee to have these vaccinations,” said fellow Rotarian, Nick Raicevic Raicevic.
Technical assistance for the vaccinations was provided by NDoH and the actual implementation was carried out by NCD Health Services, led by Dr Lutty Amos.
Rotary is also grateful to the PNG Cancer Foundation for all the printing of Brochures, Posters and Consent forms and training materials. Paradise Foods provided cordial and biscuits for the girls.