The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has called on countries in the African Region to close the gap in knowledge, awareness of cervical cancer, and access to screening.
Moeti gave the call on Wednesday, January 3, 2023, in her message commemorating this year’s cervical cancer awareness month.
She said, “we also need urgently to ensure that the HPV vaccine reaches all our young women between the ages of 9 to 14 years.
“In 2020, 100,000 women in our region were diagnosed with cervical cancer, resulting in 70,000 deaths, constituting 21% of global cervical cancer mortality.
“This crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, demanding immediate attention. Young women, especially, need awareness about the link between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for 99% of cases transmitted during sex”, she said.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa however, informed that despite significant gaps in knowledge and access to screening, the WHO African Region was actively combating the cervical cancer burden.
“The 2021 public health framework targets specific goals, aiming to vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15, screen 70% of women using a high-performance test at ages 35 and 45, and ensure timely treatment for those diagnosed.
“Successful integration of cervical cancer screening into HIV services, particularly in Zambia, has demonstrated a 30% increase in screening rates among women living with HIV.
“Initiatives supported by Roche are integrating breast and cervical cancer services into primary healthcare in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
“Advancements in screening techniques, such as HPV testing, self-sampling kits, and rapid HPV testing, have been implemented in various countries, including Kenya, Malawi, and Cameroon. Strengthening diagnostic and treatment capacity is crucial for early intervention, as witnessed in Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.
“Efforts to make HPV vaccination routine, with a single-dose vaccine adopted in four countries, show promise for higher coverage”.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa further urged all countries to intensify awareness campaigns, promote screening, and encourage HPV vaccination adding that cervical cancer, was preventable, curable, and required collective effort.
She stated that the WHO Regional Office was committed to collaborating with countries and partners to expedite action, ensuring no woman in Africa faced this devastating disease without support.
“Together, let’s prioritize cervical cancer on our agenda and work towards a future free from this preventable and curable affliction”, Moet said.
