Rwanda makes progress in cervical cancer elimination
Rwanda has made progress toward cervical cancer elimination by 2027, according to official data released on Tuesday.
Data released by the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) at a symposium in the capital Kigali, showed that HPV vaccination coverage of girls aged between 9-14 years of age stands at 90 percent.
The data also showed that screening of women aged 30-49 years stands at 31 percent against 70 percent target, while treatment stands at 81 percent against 90 percent target.
Speaking at the symposium, Claude Muvunyi, the Director General of RBC reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a future free from preventable cancer deaths, with a strong focus on cervical cancer elimination.
He noted that for Rwanda, eliminating cervical cancer is not only a public health priority, but also a matter of equity, of defending women’s rights, and of securing the health of future generations.
“Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among our mothers, sisters, and daughters. Yet it is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer,” he said.
Rwanda’s goal is to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, three years ahead of the World Health Organization 2030 global target.
The national cancer symposium was convened to discuss strategies and pathways to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer and address cervical and breast cancer as leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Rwanda.
To achieve the set goals, RBC emphasized the need for collective action: where health workers sustain high-quality, people-centered prevention, screening, treatment, and follow-up care. Health officials also urged communities to seek early screening, follow medical advice, and complete treatment.
