World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day 2025: WHO Africa Chief Urges Countries to Accelerate Action on HPV Vaccination, Screening, Treatment
The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its call for intensified national efforts to eliminate cervical cancer across Africa, as the continent marks the 2025 World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day.
In a message commemorating the day, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, hailed the significant momentum building across the region but warned that sustained commitment and investment are urgently needed to ensure no woman dies from a preventable disease.
Dr. Janabi noted that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among African women despite being “one of the most preventable.” He emphasized that the tools for elimination—HPV vaccination, routine screening and timely treatment—are available, but must reach “every girl and every woman, everywhere.”
According to him, 32 African countries have now introduced HPV vaccination into their national immunization schedules, reaching nearly half of all eligible girls. Several more countries adopted the vaccine in 2025, with at least eight preparing for rollout in 2026.
“Each introduction represents protection—against both a virus and against loss, suffering, and lives cut short too soon,” he said.
Dr. Janabi also highlighted the expansion of the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative, designed to embed cervical and breast cancer screening within primary health care. Presented to African health ministers earlier this year, WICS aims to improve continuous, accessible, women-centred care from prevention to early detection and treatment.
Partnerships remain central to recent progress. WHO is working with UN agencies including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to support national cancer control assessments and strengthen country-level planning. Support from partners such as the Government of Spain has enabled nations to train health workers, update cancer control strategies and procure vital equipment for treating pre-cancerous lesions.
Despite these gains, Dr. Janabi cautioned that “progress is not yet victory,” stressing that many women still lack access to quality screening and treatment services due to resource constraints and weak health systems.
“Eliminating cervical cancer will demand sustained financing and coordination from governments, partners, communities and individuals alike,” he added.
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He urged all Member States to accelerate implementation of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination, built on three pillars: HPV vaccination, screening and treatment. Placing women’s health and rights at the centre of universal health coverage, he said, is essential for lasting progress.
“With collective action, we can secure a future where every woman in Africa has access to the protection, care and dignity she deserves,” Dr. Janabi added.
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