The Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND" joins the National Awareness Campaign for Cervical Cancer Prevention "Stay Healthy! Do the PAP-Test!", conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and the Cervical Screening Implementation Coordination Unit, with the support of UNFPA and other partners.

The Cervical Screening Implementation Coordination Unit within the Mother and Child Institute, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND" are joining efforts to contribute to raising awareness among women from target population (aged 25 - 61 years) on the importance of cervical screening, regularly made once in 3 years.

In this context, a series of information events are underway aiming to raise awareness about cervical cancer prevention among women working in public sector institutions in the Republic of Moldova. The purpose of these information sessions is to increase addressability to access available cervical screening and HPV vaccination services in the Republic of Moldova.

The Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND" comprises 50 union centers from central and local administrative public authorities, public institutions, and state enterprises, which offers a significant opportunity for joining efforts in preventing cervical cancer - which remains a major public health issue in the Republic of Moldova.

"UNFPA Moldova remains committed to contributing to improving the sexual and reproductive health of women in Moldova, including the prevention and elimination of cervical cancer. Thanks to the partnership initiated with the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND" - we will be able to reach more women to inform them about the importance of cervical cancer prevention and encourage them to contact their family doctor for benefitting of a free Pap test, recommended to be realized every three years," said Natalia Plugaru, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Moldova, in her welcome speech.

"Within the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND", 65% of the members are women, and protecting their health is a fundamental priority in the context of guaranteeing labor rights. Information sessions on cervical cancer prevention will contribute to raising awareness and increase individual responsibility towards one's own health. Through this initiative, we aim to support women in adopting health-seeking behavior for maintaining their health and wellbeing," said Viorica Soroceanu, President of the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND".

"We welcome the partnership with the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND"  in the context of implementation of the National Awareness Campaign for Cervical Cancer Prevention "Stay Healthy! Do the PAP-Test!". Thus, we will be able to inform and encourage more women to contact their family doctor in a timely manner for benefitting of a free Pap test, and, if necessary, to follow all the steps needed for further diagnosis and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions, to prevent cervical cancer," said Diana Valuță, Head of the Cervical Screening Implementation Coordination Unit within the Mother and Child Institute.

United for women's health.

The first information session carried out in partnership with the Free Trade Union Association "PUBLICSIND"  as part of the National Awareness Campaign for Cervical Cancer Prevention "Stay Healthy! Do the PAP-Test!", took place on November 13, 2024, with the participation of the women employees of the National Agency for Intellectual Property (AGEPI). During the information event, AGEPI women employees learned more about the importance of cervical cancer prevention and how to access cervical screening and HPV vaccination services available nationwide.

In the Republic of Moldova, more and more women are getting Pap test to prevent cervical cancer. Statistics show that the proportion of women who have taken this cytology test has almost doubled in the last three years, increasing from 36% in 2021 to 62% in 2023.