Rwanda and Sweden have reaffirmed their shared commitment to eliminating cervical cancer, a major global health threat to women health.
This announcement was made in a joint statement released on November 17 by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, and Sweden’s Minister of Health Care, Acko Ankarberg Johansson at the occasion of the Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
"Cervical cancer is a serious disease that poses a significant threat to women’s health worldwide. However, it is a disease that can be eliminated,” the ministers said.
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The initiative aligns with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 90-70-90 targets, which aim to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030.
These targets include vaccinating 90 per cent of girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), screening 70 per cent of women with a high-performance test and ensuring 90 per cent of those who test positive receive appropriate treatment.
Sweden and Rwanda plan to build on their ongoing collaboration, which includes the Rwandan Ministry of Health working alongside Swedish institutions such as Elekta Foundation, Gynius Plus AB and academic institutions.
Their goal is to accelerate progress toward achieving these targets through vaccination, screening, early detection, and treatment.
"Our respective strategies, developed in collaboration with partners, focus on vaccination, screening, early detection, and treatment,” the ministers added.
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According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women. Each year, over 660,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, and more than 350,000 die from it.
The Rwandan and Swedish ministries emphasised their commitment to the cause and extended an open invitation to other national and international partners to join the effort.
"We hope that our collaboration can inspire other nations and contribute to the global goal of cervical cancer elimination set by the WHO. Together, we can eliminate cervical cancer and ensure a healthier future for all women in Sweden and Rwanda,” the statement said.
As the world marks the Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: "We have the tools and the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer. Realising that opportunity requires determined political leadership.”
"Cervical cancer can not only be stopped; it could become the first cancer to be eliminated. We have powerful vaccines that can prevent infection with the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer, diagnostics to detect it early, and treatments for those it strikes. With these tools, elimination is achievable," he added.