The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Aden Duale, today presided over the National Symposium and the official launch of Kenya’s National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030.
The launch marks a significant step forward in the country’s fight against one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.
Held during the Kenya Cancer Awareness Month under the theme ‘Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination: Strong Systems and Community Action for Every Girl and Every Woman’ in Nairobi, the two-day symposium brought together women leaders, health professionals, policymakers, development partners and civil society organisations to review progress and accelerate action across prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
Importantly, the newly launched cost- and results-oriented Action Plan is designed to drive progress towards the global 90–70–90 targets—vaccinating 90 percent of girls against HPV, screening 70 percent of women, and ensuring 90 percent of those diagnosed receive timely treatment.
In addition, the plan prioritises HPV vaccination, early and equitable screening, prompt treatment and long-term follow-up, in line with the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.
In his keynote address, CS Duale highlighted key policy and programmatic reforms, including Kenya’s transition to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, expansion of HPV DNA testing, introduction of self-sampling to increase screening uptake, and deployment of digital health innovations to extend services to women in all 47 counties.
He also underscored ongoing Government investments to strengthen referral systems, expand cancer treatment infrastructure, build a skilled health workforce and advance health financing reforms under the Social Health Authority, aimed at making cancer care accessible, affordable and equitable.
Similarly, the CS further announced the rollout of mandatory service charters across all public and private health facilities to clearly display government-supported services, a move intended to promote transparency, curb overcharging and protect patients’ rights.
Meanwhile, powerful testimonies from cervical cancer survivors, alongside broad multi-sectoral participation at the symposium, reinforced a shared national resolve to end preventable deaths from cervical cancer.
The event was attended by senior health leaders, including the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, the CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Elias Melly, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Family Health Issak Bashir, and the Head of the Cancer Division, Gladwell Gathecha, among others.
By Michael Omondi
