WHO and Partners Rally Cervical Cancer Elimination Efforts
- Christ the Redeemer will shine teal as nations join WHO's "Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination," promoting HPV vaccination, screenings, and policies.
- 144 nations now provide HPV vaccines, 60 include HPV testing, and 83 offer cervical cancer care, though disparities persist.
As world leaders gather in Rio for the G20 Summit, Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue will light up teal to support WHO's “Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination.” Countries worldwide are marking the day with HPV vaccination drives, screenings, new health policies, and community awareness efforts.
Four years ago, 194 nations committed to eliminating cervical cancer, and WHO launched a global strategy. Since then, significant progress has been made: 144 countries now offer the HPV vaccine, 60 use HPV testing in screenings, and 83 provide cervical cancer care in health packages.
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“I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“While we are making progress, we still face huge inequities, with women in low-income countries bearing most of the burden. Only with strong leadership and sustained investment can we achieve our shared goal of equitable access for communities most in need.
Marking this campaign for the fourth year, governments, partners, and civil society are organizing various activities and commitments. These include:
- Chile will announce a pilot for self-collection with HPV testing, which will be incorporated as part of its health care reform and universal primary health care.
- China: Medical schools and hospitals will host a series of academic lectures, health runs, and illuminations to raise awareness across 31 cities.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo will host a 3-day forum to launch a national strategy for cervical cancer elimination, concluding with a march through Kinshasa for cervical cancer awareness.
- Ethiopia, with support from Gavi, will launch an HPV vaccination campaign aiming to reach over 7 million girls.
- India: Civil society groups in different states will host a series of activities that include awareness campaigns and trainings for health-care professionals.
- Ireland will launch its Action Plan to achieve cervical cancer elimination, one year after announcing its goal to achieve this milestone by 2040 on the Day of Action in 2023.
- Japan’s Ministry of Health, local municipalities, and hospitals will illuminate over 70 landmarks across the country during their annual Teal Blue Campaign.
- Nigeria will raise awareness through advocacy led by the Nigerian First Ladies Against Cancer.
- Rwanda will announce its goal to reach the 90-70-90 targets by the year 2027, three years ahead of the WHO goal.
- South Africa’s Department of Health will roll out health provider trainings in 3 provinces.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
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