Finances should not be a prohibiting factor to women being able to access treatment or support
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams was part of the opening panel at the first day of the Cervical Cancer Advocacy Capacity Building Workshop which was held at the Sonesta Great Bay Hotel on Thursday morning. The Workshop featured delegates from several Caribbean Cancer Societies and Foundations and was organized by the Government of St. Maarten and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition.
In her opening remarks the Prime Minister stated she expected that during the next two days the discussions at the conference and workshops will provide the Foundations and Advocates with the kind of information necessary for them to continue their work in cancer awareness, prevention, advocacy and treatment. The Prime Minister thanked all the organizations for the work they have been doing in creating cancer awareness. "It is constantly a battle to have cancer awareness set on the forefront of the national governments. I commend the NGO’s for the work that they have been doing in achieving this goal. In making it a priority of Governments to address the issue of cancer and especially cervical cancer.
"On behalf od the many women throughout the Caribbean I thank you, I thank you on behalf of those who are suffering or whose families are suffering and who do not have the time to tell their story of those, of those who might not have the means to be able to access treatment. Cervical Cancer is preventable, and yet it is the second leading cause of death amongst women in the Caribbean. And as you make the important efforts to bring that message across I urge you to use the resources made available to you, especially at this conference, to get that message across and to stop this unnecessary trend," stated the Prime Minister.
The PM concluded by stating that she hoped that the two-day conference will contribute to a region where women will have the access to information and care throughout the Caribbean region regardless of their financial standing or stature; "Finances should not be a prohibiting factor to women being able to access treatment or support and this conference is a good start in that direction. Throughout the Caribbean our women should be able to receive the care and treatment necessary to lead productive lives," concluded the Prime Minister.