Website launched to improve cervical cancer awareness

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/29/2011 8:56 AM | Body and Soul

A website providing information on cervical cancer has been launched to increase the understanding of the public on the disease.

The website www.kankerserviks.com was launched by a non-government organization (NGO), the Indonesian Initiative to Prevent Cervical Cancer (IPKASI) and provides information in English and Bahasa Indonesia on a breadth of topics from the disease’s cause to prevention.

The IPKASI had made the website because 70 percent of cervical cancer patients seek help to doctors when their disease has entered its later stages, narrowing the chances of being cured. This phenomenon reflects the public’s lack of understanding on the disease.

“Most doctors are not communicative enough and do not like to educate their patient. In addition, people do not have access to information, causing an information gap to form,” Dr. Sigit Purba, an obstetrician and gynecologist from the IPKASI, said in kompas.com.

The users of the website can thus consult online with doctors on cervical cancer.

As many as 37 women in Indonesia are diagnosed daily with this disease, with 20 women dying every day because of cervical cancer, which is caused by the human papilloma virus.

SBY promises to improve soldiers’ welfare

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 01/21/2011 3:14 PM | National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) on Friday said the government was committed to improving the welfare of the Indonesian military and police.

“We are committed to increasing the remuneration of our military personnel and police every year, so that they can fare better in their work," Yudhoyono said in a meeting with military chiefs in Jakarta.

He said the government was working on a scheme to allow officers to have houses.

“I realize there continue to be housing problems for military personnel," Yudhoyono said, adding that his government would keep its promise.

“It has been six or seven years. The government has increased the salary for its President. But, I promise [to increase salaries of military personnel too]," he said.

During the meeting, attended by 135 top-notch military commanders and 156 high-ranking police officers, the President called on both institutions to pay attention to law enforcement and human rights protection, as well as peacekeeping and fighting terrorism.