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- Ethnic Groups & People |
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Bhutan People Layaps |
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Health
to launch pap smear campaign in northern region
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The
UNFPA goodwill ambassador, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck,
was on a two week advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health
in the remote northern regions of Lingzhi, Gasa and Laya.
During
the tour Her Majesty met with the local people and expressed her deep concern
on the community's high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Her Majesty said
that the northern regions were frequented by many groups of people accompanying
tourists and at the same time the local people were frequently interacting
with people across the northern borders.
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| HM the Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck |
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to health officials the people of Laya and Lingzhi very rarely seek medical
help although facilities are available at the Basic Health Unit and outreach
clinics. Most women also preferred to deliver at home. "As of now none
of the women of Laya and Lingzhi have come to the health centre for pap
smear check up which can detect and treat cervical cancer in the early
stages," said a health official who accompanied the royal entourage. |
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Health
officials said that a health campaign on pap smear check up will be soon
launched in Gunitsawa, Laya and Lingzhi. Cervical cancer is one of the
major causes of death in Bhutan and is second only to stomach cancer.
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| Early
initiation of sexual intercourse, repeated pregnancies, sexual promiscuity,
embarrassment and self medication were some of the reasons which has put
cervical cancer high on the list of malignancies in Bhutan, health officials
said.
According
to a study done by the health ministry, sexually transmitted diseases like
gonorrhea and syphilis were high among the Layap community and thus made
them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. |
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But the people of Laya refute the high
prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among community and say that
the numbers have been exaggerated. "Sexually transmitted diseases is prevalent
but it has come down from the past," said the former gup of Laya.
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| This
article was contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National
Newspaper |
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Lingzhi-Laya-Gasa:
HM the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck - Advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS
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