Zee Media Bureau
Today India launched its first indigenously developed device for screening and early detection of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women in most parts of developing world. In India, approximately 1.32 lakh new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and about 74,000 deaths occur annually, accounting for nearly one-third of global cervical cancer deaths.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad launched the low-cost "AV-Magnivisualiser" device developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).He said it will help in early detection of cervical cancer among adolescent girls and women, thus helping in save many lives.
The device was designed and developed at Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO), Noida, working under ICMR.As comapred to the cervical cytology method used at present in medical colleges,which costs over Rs eight lakh, this device will cost only Rs 10,000.
"I am extremely happy and I congratulate the scientists involved in the cutting-edge level. I hope the cost-effective device will be available in the market in the next eight months to help ensure easy screening and early detection of cervical cancer," Azad said.
This device will be first rolled out in the district and sub-district community health centres (CMCs) and subsequently in the primary health centres (PHCs), he noted.
