Bukola Afeni
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, has called on African Member States to step up national efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
While noting that women’s health and rights should be placed at the centre of universal health coverage.
He made the call in a message to mark the World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Celebration.
Dr. Janabi described cervical cancer as one of the most common and deadly cancer affecting women in Africa.
He noted that despite progress, many women still lack access to screening, diagnosis and treatment, mainly due to under-resourced health systems.
He stressed that the disease is also one of the most preventable, with proven tools such as HPV vaccination, screening and timely treatment offering hope for elimination if made accessible to all women and girls.
He highlighted growing momentum across the African region, as more countries integrate HPV vaccination into their national immunization programmes, offering protection to millions of girls.
Janabi also referenced the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, which supports countries in embedding cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care.
“Through the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, WHO is helping countries embed cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care,” he said.
“The integrated, continuous, accessible and women-centred approach strengthens the entire 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 offers a practical model for advancing women’s health across the Region.
“The gains have been made possible through powerful partnerships. Working with other UN agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO is supporting national cancer control assessments and plans, with a focus on cervical cancer.
“With the generous support of partners such as the Government of Spain, WHO is helping countries build human resource and technological capacity: updating national cancer control plans, training health workers, and providing essential equipment for treating pre-cancerous lesions.
Despite these gains, he warned that significant gaps remain and that “progress is not yet victory.”
“Too many women still lack access to screening, diagnosis and treatment. Too many health systems remain under-resourced to deliver the care that women deserve. Eliminating cervical cancer will demand sustained commitment, financing and coordination, from governments, partners, communities and individuals alike.
The Regional Director called for sustained commitment, financing and coordination from governments, partners, communities and individuals to achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer.
“I call on all Member States to accelerate national action under 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 centre of universal health coverage.
“Together, we can make elimination a reality, securing a future where every woman in Africa, wherever she lives, has access to the protection, care and dignity she deserves.”
