By Cynthia Masibo and Aoma Keziah
The Nairobi Cervical Cancer Elimination and HPV Vaccination Convening, held from June 11th to 13th, has brought together a diverse assembly of faith leaders, health professionals, community advocates, and policymakers under the theme “Uniting Faith and Science against Cervical Cancer.” This landmark event aimed to confront the scourge of cervical cancer, which claims the lives of approximately 81,000 African women annually, with about 126,000 new cases reported each year (Globocan).
Recognizing the Burden
The convening highlighted the devastating impact of cervical cancer on the social and economic fabric of African communities. Participants emphasized the urgent need for multi-faceted strategies that span behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship. Despite the availability of these interventions, many African women still face barriers to accessing essential health services due to cultural, logistical, and informational challenges.
Harnessing the Power of Faith Leaders
Faith leaders hold significant sway in African communities, often shaping health behaviors and decisions. The convening underscored the influential role these leaders can play in promoting cervical cancer prevention and care. Through workshops and sessions, faith leaders were equipped with knowledge and resources to advocate for behavioral change, HPV vaccination, screening, and comprehensive cervical cancer care.
Key Outcomes and Commitments
The convening concluded with a series of key outcomes and commitments aimed at propelling Africa towards the WHO’s ambitious 90:70:90 targets for cervical cancer elimination by 2030. These include:
Enhanced Collaborative Networks: New partnerships were formed, and existing ones strengthened among faith-based organizations, health authorities, and community groups to amplify the reach and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention efforts.
Capacity Building for Faith Leaders: Sessions and workshops were conducted to empower faith leaders with the necessary tools to advocate for cervical cancer prevention and care.
Ramping Up Vaccination Efforts: The convening emphasized leveraging faith networks to significantly increase HPV vaccination rates. Efforts will focus on expanding access and enhancing public awareness to ensure widespread vaccine uptake.
Expanded Screening Initiatives: Utilizing faith networks, the convening aims to broaden behavioral change activities and screening initiatives across Africa. Advanced diagnostic technologies and improved infrastructure will be employed to reach remote and underserved areas, making screening a routine part of women’s healthcare.
Strengthening Service Delivery and Guidelines: Discussions highlighted the need to enhance access to treatment protocols for pre-cervical and cervical cancer. This includes upgrading local health facilities, offering continuous training to healthcare professionals, and ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies and equipment.
Policy Engagement and Advocacy: Strategic discussions with policymakers were proposed to advocate for comprehensive cervical cancer care policies that align with the WHO 90:70:90 targets.
Integrated Sustainable Healthcare Models: Recommendations were made for sustainable healthcare models that incorporate cervical cancer prevention and care into primary healthcare systems, ensuring lifelong access to critical services for girls and women.
Community Engagement and Education: Participants committed to engaging communities and increasing public awareness about the importance of behavioral change, HPV vaccination, and regular screening.
Moving Forward
The collaborative spirit of the Nairobi convening exemplifies the potential of unified efforts in the fight against cervical cancer. By combining the influence of faith leaders with scientific and medical expertise, Africa can make significant strides towards a future free from cervical cancer. The commitments made during this event mark a crucial step in ensuring that women across the continent have access to the prevention, treatment, and support they need.
As the world moves closer to the 2030 targets, the lessons learned and partnerships forged in Nairobi will play a pivotal role in realizing the vision of a cervical cancer-free Africa.
