The NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Program Unit under the Africa CDC convened the Continental Consultative Meeting on Cervical Cancer Elimination from 27 to 29 November 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting brought together representatives from 22 African Union Member States, partners, donors, academia, civil society and the private sector to accelerate efforts towards
eliminating cervical cancer in Africa by 2030. Some of the key partners included the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, GAVI, UNITAID, Jhpiego, African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), Elekta Foundation, International Centre for Advanced Public Health MSD and Roche Diagnostics.
The consultative meeting provided a platform to review progress, share best practices, develop an accelerated roadmap, and establish a Continental Technical Working Group (TWG) and Centers of Excellence to support implementation.
This “Roadmap to accelerate the implementation of the regional framework to eliminate cervical cancer in Africa” was the output of the consultative meeting. It provides an update of the progress made so far to eliminate cervical cancer in Africa and sets out the vision, goal, core principles, strategic focus area and priorities agreed on by member states to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer. This is guided by the targets in the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem to:
• Vaccinate 90% of girls by age 15 with the HPV vaccine.
• Screen 70% of women by age 35 and again by age 45 using a high-performance test.
• Treat 90% of identified cervical disease cases(90% of women with precancer treated, and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed).
Sustaining the momentum to eliminate cervical cancer requires continued investment, capacity building, and community-driven
approaches. Advocacy for prioritizing cervical cancer elimination in national health agendas and mobilizing resources at all levels is imperative. Addressing disparities and ensuring equitable access to services, especially for underserved populations, are central to this roadmap. By implementing these strategies, Africa has the potential to achieve a cervical cancer-free future, saving lives, transforming health systems, and creating a model for addressing other noncommunicable diseases. Together, we can realize a healthier, more equitable future for all.
