Madam Deputy Speaker, cancer is viewed as a leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, the ANC encourages women to go for regular medical checkups in order to receive appropriate treatment before cancer cells begin to spread. As a result, between April and June 2010 more than 20 000 women presented themselves for cervical cancer screening at Gauteng's public health facilities.
Moreover, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development have committed itself to increase the number of women screened for cervical cancer in a bid to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer. They are determined to improve the quality of life for cancer sufferers throughout the month of August.
This department will be educating women on how to look after their health through radio campaigns and health promotions in communities, clinics and hospitals. Furthermore, this department, together with its partners, will, on 29 August 2010, host an event at the Johannesburg Zoo where education and screening will take place. The event will take place under the theme "Angels Working for Cancer", and the funds raised during the day will be used to improve services at the oncology department of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The ANC calls on all provinces to emulate this initiative made by Gauteng by making testing services available at public clinics as well as encouraging women and men to test for any type of cancer at all public clinics, so that if any abnormalities are found people can be referred to the relevant hospital for treatment. I thank you. [Applause.]