By Arasha Soila
Nairobi, Kenya: Kilele Health Association, a health NGO, has launched an initiative that seeks to reach at least 4 million women and girls with knowledge and awareness to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027. The health NGO continues to train and work with cancer survivors and caregivers. The initiative is soliciting more vaccines to achieve and implement the 90-70-90 WHO Global Strategy for eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
This translates to at least 90% of girls being fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by 15 years, 70% of women screened at the ages of 35 and again at 45 years, and 90% of those diagnosed with cervical cancer treated and managed.
According to the Head of the National Cancer Control Programme, Kenya, Dr. Mary Nyangasi the HPV vaccine is essential as it also prevents other types of cancers which affect both boys and girls caused by high-risk human papillomavirus. “The world is moving to vaccinate all girls and boys between 9-14 years. Cervical cancer is a major problem in Kenya, therefore we must first address the girls being affected by the problem before moving to the cohorts,” she emphasized.
Dr. Nyangasi added that cervical cancer is a disease of inequity as a large number of women and girls who hail from poor families in rural areas lack knowledge of it and have been affected. Further, she noted that even with knowledge of cervical cancer, women still hesitate to undergo screening because of the myths and stigmatization.
Community engagement, administering HPV vaccinations, screening outreaches, resource mobilization, and advocacy is needed to safeguard cervical health for every woman and girl. She has also encouraged parents to ensure their girls receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
Every year, 3,200 women, who are at their prime and active contributors to the economy loose their lives to cervical cancer, an estimate of 9 every day. While cervical cancer can be prevented and eliminated at early stages through screening and vaccination, in Kenya, only 61% of girls aged 9 years have received the first dose of the HPV vaccine and 31% aged 9-14 years have received the second dose.
Cervical cancer is the third leading disease in pre-mature mortality in Kenya.
According to the Ministry of Health, prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term cancer control strategy.
Additionally, the national and county governments have been urged to allocate more funds to ensure access to screening at health facilities while the NHIF sector has been called upon to revise its package to include the screening and treatment of cervical cancer.
“I would want us to push that NHIF should be able to take care of screening, vaccines, and treatment for cervical cancer for all the women,” said Embu Governor Cecile Mbarire.
She further asserts that as a politician she will continue championing women on matters of health. “I must lead from the front as a politician towards eliminating cervical cancer. Take advantage of the political leaders and organizations like KEWOPA, that way more money will be pushed on matters of health,” she said.
