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Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Approved by WHO at the 78th WHA

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu/LinkedIn

May 24, 2025, 05:26

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Approved by WHO at the 78th WHA

Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026 and Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Approved by World Health Organization at the 78th World Health Assembly.

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is entirely preventable, yet it remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. With over 340,000 women lost every year, the gap in access to HPV vaccination, screening, and timely treatment is a worrisome.

Nigeria and South Africa co-led a proposal to set aside a day to call attention to the elimination agenda. Sofiat Akinola and I also co-authored a blog post published on World Economic Forum titled “A Global Milestone: Why a World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day Matters.”

Today history was made as countries passed the resolution. The recognition of November 17 as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, will galvanize political will, drive investment, and elevate public awareness.

Now that countries at the 78th World Health Assembly, have officially approved, Nigeria, must now lead the elimination agenda, and translate policy into action across all our health systems.

In Nigeria, over 13 million girls have been vaccinated against HPV, a major milestone. Yet, significant gaps remain in screening coverage, particularly for women over 30. Without catching up with screening, the full promise of elimination cannot be realized.

Also today was the broader discussion on Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, including major resolutions on lung health, kidney health, sensory impairments, and more.

This approval is one we rise to celebrate. It signals equity, dignity, and global solidarity.

Congratulations to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and his wonderful team for boldly spearheading this initiative. Under no circumstances should the department be shut in the ongoing restructuring at World Health Organization.