The South Belfast MLA, who is also the Chair of the All-Party Group on Cancer at Stormont, stated: "The new screening programme, checking for the Human Papillomavirus which is the cause of most cervical cancers, is a classic example of investing resources in prevention and early intervention.
"By detecting early cell changes, we can prevent cancer from occurring - the test is not for cancer, but specifically for the infection that leads to it.
"It is unfortunate that, due to budget constraints, Northern Ireland is the last jurisdiction in the UK and Ireland to have this service developed. It is essential, in future, that resources are shifted towards priority areas such as this where early detection can mean outright prevention."