Rwanda: First African Country to Offer National Prevention Program for Cervical Cancer

Last month, the Rwandan Ministry of Health launched the first national cervical cancer prevention program in Africa. Cervical cancer, which is caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), is ranked by the World Health Organization as the leading cause of cancer-related death among Rwandan women. The new program offers HPV vaccination for girls, ages 12-15, and cervical cancer screening for women, ages 35-45.

Nearly 80% of cervical cancer cases are reported in developing countries. Although HPV vaccination pilot programs exist in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Uganda, Rwanda’s comprehensive, national prevention approach is unique in that it includes vaccination, molecular screening, and treatment.

 “It is our goal to create a comprehensive, coordinated program . . . to address the nation’s unmet needs for cervical cancer-related health services,” said Dr. Richard Sezibera, former minister of health. “This vaccination and screening program, which offers our citizens the most advanced technologies in the world, brings us one step closer to reaching our goal of protecting the girls and women in our country.”

To support the new program, Merck is donating two million doses of the GARDASIL vaccine, and Qiagen is donating 250,000 DNA-based molecular HPV screening tests. After three years, both pharmaceutical companies will provide vaccination and testing at discounted prices.

IntraHealth International’s HIV/AIDS Clinical Services Program is part of the Ministry of Health’s maternal and child health technical working group, which reviewed the concept note and strategic plan documents that laid the foundation for this new program.