RAWALPINDI, May 23: Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) will be shortly starting colposcopy diagnosis for detecting cancer of cervix at pre-invasive stage, hospital’s head of gynaecology department Prof (Dr) Asma Tanvir Usmani told this reporter on Friday.

She said the colposcope was purchased a decade ago, but not a single test had been carried out on the equipment eversince, because a couple of its lens were stolen shortly after its installation.

She said several inquiries were held into the theft of the lens, but nothing was forthcoming. Meanwhile, the equipment, she said, laid unutilized.

In view of the significance of the test, she said, she had herself decided to donate the missing lens.

Dr Usmani said the disease was fully curable if detected at a reasonably early stage. However, she regretted that most of the cases came at advanced stages.

The professor said women conformed a high risk group and the problem was directly related to early age marriage and poor socio-economic status.

Meanwhile, Seeratun Nabi week would be celebrated at the RGH from May 26-29 in which competitions of Qirat, Naat and Seerat speeches would be held. Besides, lectures by prominent scholars have been arranged to enlighten the staff about the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Dr Usmani said the occasion would be used for raising donations for poor patients.