Ethiopia Launches Month-Long Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Campaign Across Six Regions

Addis Ababa, 7 November 2025 - The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with financial support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has officially launched a month-long mass campaign to screen and treat cervical cancer in six regions: Addis Ababa, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Oromia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia.

This nationwide initiative marks a significant milestone for Ethiopia's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat and aligns with the WHO Global Strategy's 90-70-90 targets by 2030.

The campaign was officially launched at Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-City Woreda 1 Health Center in Addis Ababa, with the presence of distinguished guests including Dr. Hiwot Solomon, Lead Executive Officer of the Disease Prevention and Control Department (DPCD); Dr. Sena Dhugasa Advisor to the State Minister; Dr Sarai Malumo DPC Cluster Lead WHO Ethiopia; Mr Hangatu Getu from Addis Ababa City Health Bureau; representatives from AECID, partner organizations, and community leaders. The event featured opening remarks, facility tour, community engagement activities, testimonies from survivors and cervical cancer screening and treatment.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Ethiopian women. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, the country records approximately 7,445 new cases and 5,338 deaths annually. Over 80% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to inadequate screening access, low awareness, and socioeconomic barriers. Women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer, highlighting the need for integrated prevention and care.

Through this campaign, Ethiopia aims to screen an estimated 267,662 eligible women aged 30-49, including those aged 15-49 living with HIV. Screening will be conducted using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and HPV testing where available. Women who test positive will receive timely treatment through cryotherapy, thermal ablation, or LEEP procedures, ensuring continuity of care at the primary health care level.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Sarai Malumo emphasized that cervical cancer is both preventable and curable when detected early. She reaffirmed WHO's commitment to supporting Ethiopia in scaling up HPV vaccination, expanding access to screening and treatment, and integrating services within the broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) program. "This campaign embodies hope and action," she said. "It translates global strategies into local impact, ensuring no woman dies from a preventable disease."

The AECID-funded campaign builds on a joint microplanning workshop held in July 2025 in Bishoftu, which developed tailored regional plans for the six participating regions. WHO has transferred nearly USD 47,826 to support regional operations and is in the process of procuring 30 additional thermal ablation machines to expand service delivery capacity, complementing previous Norad-funded efforts that equipped 87 primary health care facilities.

The campaign will utilize both facility-based and outreach/mobile services, reaching women in remote areas through the active involvement of Health Extension Workers (HEWs), women's groups, and religious leaders. Progress will be tracked daily using standardized registers and digital reporting platforms.

Expected outcomes include screening over 16,500 women in Addis Ababa alone, achieving 90% treatment coverage for those testing positive, raising public awareness through national media, and strengthening local partnerships to sustain progress.
This event also celebrates Ethiopia's recognition as one of the 2024 UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs Award winners for its leadership in cervical cancer elimination and integrated NCD care.

The Ministry of Health urged all women aged 30-49 - especially those living with HIV - to visit nearby health facilities for screening during this campaign. Community members, local leaders, and media are encouraged to support this historic effort toward a cervical cancer-free Ethiopia.