Eswatini Determined To Meet The Global Target To Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030

Eswatini Daily News
By: Nomzamo Jiyane
14 January 2022

In May 2018, the WHO Director-General announced a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.

Eswatini has renewed its effort and commitment to achieve the global target 90-70-90 by 2030 to get on the path to eliminate cervical cancer within the next century. Dr Seluleko Maseko from the Cancer Department in the Ministry of Health revealed that the Ministry has already started cervical cancer screening across the country. He urged all women and young girls to practice early and regular screening.

According to the WHO global target, to eliminate cervical cancer, all countries must reach and maintain an incidence rate of below four per 100 000 women. Achieving that goal rests on three key pillars and their corresponding targets: 
* Vaccination: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine by the age of 15; 
* Screening: 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45; 
* Treatment: 90% of women with pre-cancer treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed. 

January is marked as the month for Cervical Cancer Awareness. The year 2022 looks at new research, new treatment and how to work towards a future immune from cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cells of a woman’s cervix. It is the most common cancer affecting women and leading to high morbidity and mortality. 2020 results show that World Wide, over 600,000 morbidity and almost 359,000 mortality rates were recorded.

Dr Maseko said that, though devastating at advanced stages, cervical cancer can be prevented with regular pap smear tests to screen for abnormal cells, as well as vaccination against HPV, a virus that is the most common cause of cervical cancer. “It pains me every time I diagnose another patient with advanced cervical cancer yet it is a preventable cancer. The best way to protect yourself from HPV is to get screened regularly and to take the HPV vaccination,” Dr Maseko said.

Eswatini is working hard and is determined to meet the 90-70-90 target by 2030.