▶ GC Labs is providing the training course as part of 'Uzbekistan HPV Screening Test Capacity Building Consulting Project'
▶ With the support from KOFIH, the project plans to train on the gynecological cytopathology diagnosis know-how to Uzbekistan cytopathology medical staff
GC Labs recently announced that it began the 'Training of the Cytological Diagnosis' course as an activity of the Consulting Project of ‘the Project on Capacity Building for Screening Of Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the Republic of Uzbekistan’ (shortened as Uzbekistan HPV Screening Test Capacity Building Consulting Project from now on) entrusted by the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) on March 7th, 2023.
Uzbekistan HPV Screening Test Capacity Building Consulting Project is a part of ODA project by KOFIH. The project’s goal is to support HPV screening, research and policymaking to achieve early diagnosis and prevention of cervical cancer, which is the second highest prevalent female cancer in Uzbekistan.
The 'Training of the Cytological Diagnosis' is to be taught by International Cytotechnologist No Won Park (Former Professor of Korea Univ), who was dispatched to Uzbekistan from March 6th, by sharing his knowledge of gynecological cytopathology diagnosis to medical staff in Uzbekistan. The course will be held twice, one each for the cytopathologists and cytotechnicians, at the Scientific Research Institute of Virology (RIV). The purpose of the course is to strengthen capacity of cervical cancer cytopathology diagnosis, which Uzbekistan is in beginning stage, and to prepare the human resources ready when the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan scales up the cervical cancer screening program nationwide in the future. The first set of students was recruited from various parts of the country such as Jizzak, Kashkadarya, Bukhara, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, etc. apart from the project target regions (Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand).
At the March 7th opening Event, Prof. Erkin I. Musabayev (RIV Director), Ms. Heeun Kim (KOFIH Uzbekistan Country Representative), and Ms. Hyun Won Kim (GC Labs Head of Strategic Planning Unit) delivered opening speech on behalf of each institution, and the course was covered by the ‘Uzbekistan 24’ (Uzbekistan National Public News TV Channel) and received a lot of interest.
Prof. Erkin I. Musabayev (Director of RIV) remarked in the opening speech, "Thank you to GC Labs and KOFIH to provide the training opportunity for doctors and technicians of cytology field" and emphasized that "Even though the KOFIH Cervical Cancer Screening Test Capacity Building project is in its final stages, the end of this project will be the new beginning for RIV as we have a big plan to propose to the government to launch the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program".
Ms. Heeun Kim (KOFIH Uzbekistan Country Representative) expressed encouragement to the students, saying, "As one of the efficient way to improve cervical cancer screening capacity is the regular screening techniques training, KOFIH is looking forward to your active participation and future role in the cervical cancer screening of everyone participating in this training."
Ms. Hyun Won Kim (GC Labs Head of Strategic Planning Unit) started the speech with the introduction of GC Labs, the organization implementing this consulting project, and then commented "A healthy woman's life directly links to a healthy family, society, and country. Thus, strengthening screening capacity of cervical cancer and HPV will be the foundation for healthy women and society, which shows meaningful significance on behalf of the upcoming International Women's day" then ended with "GC Labs, along with RIV, KOFIH, and the governments of the two countries, will do its best to strengthen its diagnostic capabilities so that no patients will die of cervical cancer in Uzbekistan"