Why should young women in Northern Ireland be treated differently and why so unfairly
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 7 December 2007
Why should young women in Northern Ireland be treated differently and why so unfairly?
Cervical Cancer charity Jo’s Trust has reacted strongly to suggestions from Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride that there could be a delay in implementing a cervical cancer vaccination programme in schools until 2010 at the earliest.
The Chief Medical Officer and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Michael McGimpsey gave evidence to the Assembly Health Committee yesterday on the Draft Programme for Government and the Draft Budget.
In responding to a question from Ulster Unionist MLA Rev Robert Coulter on the adequacy of the health budget Dr McBride responded by stating that if there was no increase in the budget then a HPV vaccination programme and a bowel cancer programme would not be implemented until 2010 at the earliest and then only partially.
Pamela Morton, Director of Jo’s Trust stated:
“The consideration that young girls and women in Northern Ireland will have to wait at least two years longer than their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales to receive protection from a virus that we know causes cervical cancer and thus deaths is utterly unacceptable and frankly, borders on negligence.
“People in Northern Ireland have waited with forbearance for five long years for local politicians and local ministers to look after their interests and make a difference to their lives; this news will come as a bitter pill for them to swallow.
During the elections Jo’s Trust asked candidates to sign a pledge to improve the uptake of cervical screening, to support a vaccination programme against the causes of cervical cancer and as importantly to introduce an education programme on the causes of cervical cancer and the importance for women to attend for screening.
70 sitting MLAs including 10 Executive Ministers signed this pledge; this promise to the women of Northern Ireland should now be delivered. Why should women in Northern Ireland be treated differently and so unfairly to women in Scotland, England and Wales? I urge them to demand an answer of their elected MLA.”
Ends
For further information contact
Pamela Morton 01327 341965, 07980 720061 or at pamela@Jotrust.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Jo’s Trust www.jotrust.co.uk is a registered charity established in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his wife Jo who died of cervical cancer.
It is dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix
Jo’s Trusts objectives are
- To raise the public profile and understanding of the causes of pre-cancer and cervical cancer and how they can be prevented and overcome
- To create greater awareness of the importance of having regular cervical screening
- To campaign for improved preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical cancer
Last updated: 20/04/2010
