Africa Renews Hope For A Cervical Cancer-free Future As WHO Marks 2025 Elimination Day
As the world marks World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says Africa is edging closer to a historic public-health victory, eliminating a disease that is both common and preventable, yet still claims the lives of thousands of women each year.
In a message to commemorate the day, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, hailed the progress made across the continent, while urging governments and partners to accelerate efforts to ensure that no African woman dies from cervical cancer.
Dr Janabi noted that cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers affecting women in the region, even though proven tools exist to stop it, HPV vaccination, routine screening and timely treatment.
He stressed that making these services accessible “to every girl and every woman, everywhere” is key to achieving elimination.
So far, 32 African Member States have integrated HPV vaccination into their national immunisation programmes, reaching nearly half of eligible girls.
More countries have introduced the vaccine this year, while at least eight others are set to join in 2026, marking a significant expansion of protection for young girls.
Through the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, WHO is supporting countries to embed cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care.
Presented to Ministers of Health during the Seventy-fifth WHO Regional Committee for Africa, WICS offers a practical, women-centred approach that strengthens prevention, early detection and treatment.
Dr Janabi also recognised the crucial role of global and regional partnerships involving UN agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. With support from countries including Spain, the WHO is helping African nations update cancer control plans, train health workers and provide essential treatment equipment.
Despite these gains, he warned that challenges persist: many women still lack access to screening and treatment, and several health systems remain too weak to deliver the care required. Eliminating cervical cancer, he said, will require “sustained commitment, financing and coordination.”
He urged African governments to scale up action under the three pillars of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination, vaccination, screening and treatment, while putting women’s health and rights at the centre of universal health coverage.
With continuous momentum and collective responsibility, Dr Janabi expressed confidence that Africa can secure “a future where every woman has access to the protection, care and dignity she deserves.”
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