A donation from Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation will assist in the identification of cervical pre-cancers.
A $20,000 colposcope was donated from Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation to the Wimmera Medical Centre. Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Yakep Angue said the colposcope will provide better detection and earlier diagnosis of pre-cancer abnormalities on the cervix.
“It will increase the chance of finding abnormal cells if they are present,” Dr Angue said.
“The new machine is clearer which makes spotting abnormalities a lot easier.”
Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation chair Graeme Hardman said the colposcope the Medical Centre team were using was due for replacement.
“The machine was 24 years old and had broken down three times in the last year, which took several weeks to fix, resulting in many appointments being cancelled,” Mr Hardman said.
“A new machine was definitely required and will improve the screening process which is vitally important in the detection of cervical cancer.
“The Wimmera has very high rates of cancer and the donation follows on from the donations to the Wimmera Cancer Centre.
WHCG Foundation raises funds through donations, bequests and fundraising. These donations are invested wisely and only the income earned is used to fund special projects at both the Horsham and Dimboola campuses, which directly benefit the people of the Wimmera, guaranteeing the highest quality health care.
“The Foundation is happy to donate the funds for this piece of equipment as it will help people be treated more effectively,” Mr Hardman said.