Governments, donors, and international organizations have pledged significant new commitments totaling nearly US$600 million to combat cervical cancer, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against this preventable disease.
The announcements were made at the inaugural Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
The forum, attended by experts and stakeholders from around the world, aimed to galvanize global action towards eliminating cervical cancer, which claims the lives of a woman every two minutes. With proven prevention and treatment tools available, including vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and screening programs, the goal of eradicating cervical cancer is within reach.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the need for expanded vaccination, screening, and treatment programs to address the inequities in access to life-saving interventions. He underscored the importance of investing in the global elimination strategy and overcoming barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing essential healthcare services.
Several countries announced ambitious commitments to accelerate progress in cervical cancer prevention and control:
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Commits to introducing the HPV vaccine using the WHO-recommended single-dose schedule and aims to achieve optimal vaccination coverage for girls aged 9 to 14 years.
- Ethiopia: Pledges to implement a comprehensive vaccine delivery strategy to achieve high coverage among 14-year-old girls, along with scaling up screening and treatment services for eligible women.
- Nigeria: Launches its national HPV vaccine program, adopting a single-dose schedule for girls aged 9 to 14 years, with a target of achieving 80% vaccine coverage. The country also commits to expanding vaccine delivery to reach all eligible girls, whether in school or out of school.
The new funding, including contributions from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and the World Bank, will support the implementation of these commitments and bolster existing cervical cancer prevention and treatment programs.
Despite progress, challenges remain, including supply constraints, delivery obstacles, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare services. However, with renewed commitment and investment, it is possible to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from cervical cancer by 2030.
The forum received strong support from the Spanish government, which emphasized the importance of political will and international cooperation in addressing cervical cancer. Spain reaffirmed its commitment to supporting global efforts to achieve the goals outlined in the WHO strategy.
Co-sponsored by the Governments of Colombia and Spain, in partnership with leading global health organizations, the forum represents a significant step towards realizing a world free from cervical cancer.