Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has launched a four-year strategy to fight cervical cancer.
The Kenya’s National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030 signals a major step forward in the fight against one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women
The CS was speaking during the 2-day national symposium in Nairobi held during Kenya Cancer Awareness Month under the theme “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination: Strong Systems and Community Action for Every Girl and Every Woman”.
The 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.
“As we mark National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the reality of 6,000 new cases and 3,500 preventable deaths from cervical cancer is unacceptable. These are not just numbers; they are families torn apart and communities diminished. We must do better,” he said.
The newly launched, costed, 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.
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.
“Let us make a vow to end cervical cancer in Kenya; we must leave no girl unvaccinated, no woman unscreened, and no patient untreated. By protecting our women, we safeguard our families and uphold our nation’s dignity. Together we can and we will eliminate cervical cancer,” the CS said.
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 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.
Duale 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.
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 Wangari Ndirangu
