Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (09.04.25) expressed his heartfelt gratitude to City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) and Sir Brian Bell Foundation for their partnership to make accessible and affordable testing available for the detection of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) among Papua New Guinean women.
The Prime Minister expressed his sentiments after the announcement and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CPL and Sir Brian Bell Foundation this week for the project, which will offer a test clinic at CPL’s Stop N Shop in Badili in the Nation’s Capital. The company and foundation are partnering to bring in state-of-the-art machines which will provide non-invasive screening for high-risk HPV in women at an affordable cost of K20 per test.
High-risk HPV is the cause of cervical cancer in women. In Papua New Guinea, cervical cancer, often preventable, is among the highest cause of deaths in women.
Prime Minister Marape said he was glad and humbled to see two leading players in Papua New Guinea’s Private Sector take this initiative to assist the community, especially the community of women.
“I am both glad and humbled to read of CPL and Sir Brian Bell Foundation going out there of their own volition, pooling together their resources, and coming up with this initiative. We must not forget that a year ago, these are the very companies our people violated so harmfully in the Black Wednesday events.
“Both Sir Mahesh Patel and the late Sir Brian Bell come from pharmaceutical backgrounds. They have invested heavily into our country, and although Sir Brian is gone, Sir Mahesh still recognizes the value of health care and early detection of illnesses which are essential in prevention and cure.
“For our women, non-invasive and affordable testing that is clearly accessible means they are more willing to come forward for screening and testing. We hope that with this news, women can willingly present themselves to make use of this service, as many PNG women do not often go in easily for pap smear tests.
“Our government is continuing to support the health sector in the country. We have reopened the cancer unit in Lae and are about to complete a new cancer unit in Port Moresby.
“Despite our best efforts, we cannot do everything all at once because of many clashing priorities, so it is truly heartwarming to see Private Sector partners come together to assist in much-needed areas.
“On behalf of my wife, Mrs Rachael Marape, and the women of Papua New Guinea, thank you very much CPL and Sir Brian Bell Foundation for your invaluable support,” said PM Marape.