By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The World Health Organization, WHO, has charged Nigeria and countries in Africa to eliminate cancer by making cancer tools accessible to every girl and woman.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi made this call in a message on Monday to mark the 2025 Cancer Elimination Day in Abuja to celebrate the progress toward a future free of cervical cancer that ensures no woman or girl dies from cancer and other preventable diseases.
Dr. Janabi said, ” With the tools now available—HPV vaccination, screening, and timely treatment—elimination is within reach.”
” The challenge before us is to make these tools accessible to every girl and every woman, everywhere.”
The WHO Regional boss stated that presently thirty- two member countries have introduced the human papillomavirus ( HPV) vaccination into their national immunization, reaching at least half of all eligible girls.
He also disclosed that more countries have rolled out the HPV vaccine this year, while over eight others plan to do so in 2026.
Dr. Janabi stated that the introduction of the vaccination provides protection against both a virus and, ultimately, deaths among girls and women.
According to him, WHO is helping countries embed cervical and breast cancer screening into primary health care through the Women’s Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) initiative.
He stated that the WICS integration will guarantee continuous accessible
prevention and early detection and treatment, adding that it offers a practical model for advancing women’s health across the African region.
However, WHO still laments the low progress because the majority of women still lack access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
“Too many health systems remain under-resourced to deliver the care that women deserve.”
“Eliminating cervical cancer will demand sustained commitment, financing, and coordination from governments, partners, communities, and individuals alike”, Dr. Janabi said.
WHO reports, “Cervical cancer remains one of the most common and deadly cancers among women in Africa. Yet, it is also one of the most preventable.”
“I call on all Member States to accelerate national action under the three pillars of the Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination—vaccination, screening, and treatment—and to place women’s health and rights at the centre of universal health coverage”, he emphasized.
