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Jérôme Salomon: WHO and partners rally Cervical Cancer elimination efforts

Jérôme Salomon/LinkedIn

Nov 19, 2024, 14:01

Jérôme Salomon: WHO and partners rally Cervical Cancer elimination efforts

Professor Jérôme SALOMON, Assistant Director General ADG SDG at World Health Organization, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“World Health Organization and partners rally cervical cancer elimination efforts.

As world leaders arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 Summit this weekend, the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will be illuminated in the colour.

The Brazilian advocates behind this effort are among many around the globe joining the WHO to mobilize efforts on a world wide Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination.

Other countries are marking the day with campaigns to provide human papilloma virus HPV vaccination and screening, launching new health policies to align with the world’s first-ever effort to eliminate a cancer, and raising awareness in communities.

4 years ago to the day, 194 countries resolved to eliminate cervical cancer and WHO launched a global strategy.

Since then, significant progress has been made. At least 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, over 60 countries now include HPV testing in their cervical screening programmes and 83 countries include surgical-care services for cervical cancer in health-benefit packages.

“I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO DG. “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 4th year, governments, partners and civil society are organizing various activities and commitments.

Chile will announce a pilot for self-collection with HPV testing, UHC PHC.
China: Medical schools and hospitals will host a series of academic lectures, health runs, and illuminations.
DRC 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, the Vaccine Alliance 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 HCW.
Ireland will launch its Action Plan to achieve cervical cancer elimination, 1 year after announcing its goal to achieve this milestone by 2040.
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, 3 years ahead of the WHO goal.
South Africa’s Department of Health will roll out health provider trainings in 3 provinces.