WHO canvasses equitable access to cervical cancer care 

World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners in the health sector have expressed concerns that inequitable access to vaccines and high-performance screening tools is hampering efforts to reduce the growing burden of cervical cancer in Africa, which accounts for the highest rates of new cases and deaths due to the disease.

They lamented that of the more than 76, 000 cervical cancer deaths globally in 2022, nearly a quarter estimated at 23 per cent were in Africa. According to them, despite being preventable and treatable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, and curable when detected early, cervical cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Africa.

Speaking at the 74th session of WHO Regional Committee for Africa Forum, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said: “The burden of cervical cancer in Africa is a stark illustration of the impacts of global inequities, which exacerbate barriers, including scarce resources, lack of prioritisation by funders, and ultimately, limited capacity to manage the threat. Affordable and accessible HPV tests and vaccines are critical if we are to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the region and narrow the wide gap in health inequality globally.”

The forum, which will end today, August 30, in Congo’s capital city, brings together health ministers from the 47 countries of the WHO African Region, health ministers, partners to discuss and approve regional policies and adopt key resolutions to guide the Organisation’s work on the continent.

The forum highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to affordable HPV vaccines and HPV DNA testing, to accelerate progress towards elimination.
Reports show that to date, only 28 countries in the African region have introduced HPV vaccines into routine immunisation programmes, with just four of these achieving 90 per cent vaccination coverage in 2023.

For screening, surveys revealed very low coverage of about 11 per cent. Only 17 countries have introduced HPV-based screening, albeit not nationally, highlighting the importance of an integrated person-centred approach.

A critical element for success, WHO stressed, was the delivery of cervical cancer services within a people-centred, primary health care approach, to ensure accessibility and sustainability.