Message from the WH regional director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi
Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
World cervical cancer elimination day, we celebrate the important progress African countries are making toward a future free of cervical cancer,we also renew our shared commitment to ensuring that no woman dies from a disease we have the power to prevent.
Cervical cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers among women in Africa,yet it is also among the most preventable,with the tools now available HPV vaccination, effective screening, and timely treatment elimination is within reach,our greatest task is to ensure that these lifesaving interventions are accessible to every girl and every woman, everywhere.
Across the WHO african region, momentum is growing thirty-two member states have incorporated HPV vaccination into their national immunization programmes, reaching nearly half of all eligible girls. Several more countries introduced the vaccine this year, and at least eight others are preparing to do so in 2026, each introduction represents protection protection from infection, from suffering, and from lives cut short far too soon.
Through the women’s integrated cancer services (WICS) initiative, WHO is supporting countries to integrate cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care, this continuous, accessible and women-centred approach strengthens the full continuum of prevention, early detection and treatment,presented to Ministers of Health at the seventy-fifth session of the WHO regional committee for Africa this year, WICS provides a practical model for advancing women’s health across the Region.
These achievements have been made possible through strong partnerships working closely with other UN agencies, including the International Atomic Energy agency and the international agency for research on cancer, WHO is assisting countries in conducting national cancer control assessments and developing strategic plans, with a strong focus on cervical cancer.
Thanks to the generous support of partners such as the government of Spain, WHO is helping countries expand their human resource and technological capacities updating national cancer control plans, training health workers and equipping facilities to provide treatment for pre-cancerous lesions.
Despite this progress, we have not yet reached our goal too many women still lack access to screening, diagnosis and treatment,too many health systems remain under-resourced to deliver the care that women need and deserve. eliminating cervical cancer will require sustained commitment, financing and coordination from governments, partners, communities and individuals.
I call on all Member States to accelerate national action across the three pillars of the global strategy for cervical cancer elimination vaccination, screening and treatment and to place women’s health and rights at the heart of universal health coverage.
Together, we can make elimination a reality,together we can secure a future in which every woman in Africano matter where she liveshas access to the protection, care and dignity she deserves.
Learn more:World Health Assembly endorses 17 November as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day,Angola takes a historic step with the introduction of the cervical cancer vaccine,Namibia rolls out human papilloma virus vaccination to help end cervical cancer,Ethiopia launches month-long cervical cancer screening and treatment campaign across six regions strengthening cervical cancer surgical capacity in Sierra Leone through south south collaboration,National training boosts cervical cancer prevention efforts in BotswanaDelivering comprehensive cancer care to women in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Côte d’Ivoire,Eswatini accelerates cervical cancer elimination: WHO-supported training delivers lifesaving care to over 80 women.
