Sierra Leone transforms lives through expanded cervical cancer care

Freetown-In the past, cervical cancer diagnosis meant Sierra Leonean women had to travel to neighbouring countries for treatment, if they could afford it. Today, thanks to strong leadership of the Ministry of Health, working in close collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), UNFPA, Friends of Africa and international partners, lifesaving prevention and care is becoming more available at home. South-South partnerships with Zambia and China have strengthened national capacity, giving women hope and saving lives.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in the country. Recognizing the urgency, Sierra Leone has dramatically expanded access to prevention, early detection and treatment. By November 2025, cervical cancer screening had been extended to at least one facility in all 16 districts nationwide bringing the total to 25 functional screening sites. Since 2022, these services have reached more than 34 000 women, achieving 100% coverage at the district level.

"These achievements are not by chance. The ministry, the government and our partners are working together to tackle major health challenges and ensure a sustainable path toward cervical cancer elimination," says Dr Jalikatu Mustapha, Deputy Minister of Health II.

Health workers use visual inspection with acetic acid, a cost-effective cervical cancer screening method that involves applying acetic acid to the cervix to identify abnormal lesions. If a precancerous lesion is identified, health workers treat immediately using thermal ablation or the loop electrosurgical excision procedure. These two procedures remove abnormal tissue from the surface of the cervix, reducing the risk of progression to invasive cancer. Screening is integrated into sexual and reproductive health and HIV services, ensuring that women at higher risk receive timely care.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, has trained health workers, including nurses, doctors and clinicians, to perform visual inspection with acetic acid, thermal ablation and the loop electrosurgical excision procedure in all of Sierra Leone's 16 districts. WHO facilitated the trainings and provided financial support to ensure effective implementation.

For women diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer, access to surgery is critical. In response, the Ministry of Health, supported by WHO, Friends of Africa, and through South-South collaboration with Zambia, initiated a camp for complex surgical interventions for early stage cervical cancer in 2024. This effort brought experienced gynaecologic oncologists from Zambia to work alongside national specialists, strengthening local expertise. The third cervical cancer surgical camp was held in December 2025, further building national capacity for comprehensive cancer care. WHO provided supportive supervision throughout to ensure high quality service delivery.

Since the first camp in 2024, 11 women have received life-saving surgeries in the country. These camps also serve as a platform for hands-on mentorship, gradually building local capacity.
According to Dr Groesbeck Parham, Senior Expert for the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative and a member of the surgical team, collaboration is critical to success. "We have contributed to training health workers and the provision of equipment for the delivery of both screening and treatment services," he says.

For patients Ramatulai Kamara, surgery for invasive cervical cancer, was life changing. Before her surgery, she experienced severe pain and persistent vaginal bleeding that disrupted her family life and made daily activities difficult.

"I didn't have the money to travel to Ghana for treatment, so I was very happy [with the surgery]. Within a week after the surgery, I was back to running my business," she says. "After everything I had been through, I never imagined I would be standing here as strong as I am today."

The Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown, the country's capital, plays a central role in these efforts. It is the main referral hospital for women's health and teaching hospital for obstetrics and gynaecology in Sierra Leone. "Establishing a cervical cancer screening and prevention centre here [at the hospital] is a landmark step. It empowers women and ensures their health is prioritized," says Dr Amadu Sesay, medical superintendent of the hospital.

WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health in delivering a comprehensive package of cervical cancer services, covering both prevention and treatment. The Organization has also supported the Ministry of Health to cost the National Policy and Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer together with a comprehensive investment case. This provides a clear financial roadmap to guide resource mobilization, prioritize high-impact interventions and ensure sustainable implementation of elimination efforts.

"Eliminating cervical cancer requires all of us-government, UN agencies, the private sector and partners like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance-to work together. WHO is working on capacity building at all levels to make sure that we sustain the interventions and the gains that have been made so far," says Dr George Ameh, WHO Country Representative in Sierra Leone.

As Sierra Leone advances toward cervical cancer elimination, these combined efforts are translating into real results for women and families, while laying a strong foundation for a resilient and equitable health system that leaves no one behind.