Africa CDC endorses roadmap to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030

AFRICA—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has taken a significant step toward eradicating cervical cancer by endorsing the Africa Accelerated Roadmap to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030.

This announcement came at the close of the Continental Consultative Meeting, highlighting Africa’s commitment to combating one of the most preventable yet deadly forms of cancer. 

Cervical cancer remains a serious public health challenge in Africa, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that it claims over 90,000 women’s lives each year.

Limited access to prevention, early detection, and treatment services has disproportionately affected women in low-income communities, where the disease ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. 

To address these challenges, the roadmap outlines several strategic actions to accelerate progress.

These include expanding access to HPV vaccination, scaling up screening and treatment services, and establishing three Centres of Excellence (COEs) across the continent.

These COEs will serve as regional hubs for research, healthcare professional training, and the development of scalable innovations. 

Several African countries have already made significant strides in combating cervical cancer, providing models for success.

For example, Rwanda has achieved over 90% HPV vaccination coverage since 2011, coupled with innovative screening methods and accessible treatment in 350 health centers.

Similarly, Morocco has implemented effective school-based HPV vaccination programs, established cancer treatment centers, and improved healthcare accessibility.

More than 1.9 million women in Zambia have been screened, and advanced treatments have been introduced, demonstrating the potential for impactful results. 

To ensure the roadmap’s effective implementation, Africa CDC has pledged to collaborate with key stakeholders to validate the plan, finalize the Terms of Reference for the Technical Working Group, and operationalize the COEs.

These actions will help transform the centers into fully functional hubs dedicated to combating cervical cancer.  

This initiative aligns with the WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by meeting the “90-70-90” targets: 90% HPV vaccination coverage, 70% screening coverage, and 90% access to treatment by 2030. 

Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC’s director-general, emphasised this roadmap’s importance, calling it a “critical step under the New Public Health Order.”

He urged governments, development partners, and civil society to work together to achieve the vision of a cervical cancer-free Africa.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.