The African region celebrates the 3 years of the global movement to eliminate cervical cancer:
Benin hosts the event under the sign of disease prevention and control to save lives

Official ceremony of the celebration of the 3 years of the global movement to eliminate cervical cancer - Benin, Cotonou - November 17, 2023

Since 2020, every November 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) has celebrated progress and renewed commitment from nations to achieve the global elimination of cervical cancer. This year, the WHO Regional Office for Africa hosted a high-level advocacy event at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou on November 17, 2023, to highlight ongoing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer. The event, which honored the commitment and contributions of Benin's First Lady, Mrs. Claudine Talon, and the Ministry of Health, was attended by the Minister of Health, the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, the WHO's acting Representative, the UNFPA Representative, the representative of the President of the Claudine Talon Foundation, and other technical and financial partners.

Prof. Benjamin Hounkpatin, the Minister of Health, reaffirmed Benin's commitment to making progress toward eliminating cervical cancer through impactful and lasting response strategies. “I remain optimistic that with actions at the national and global levels, there is hope for all women burdened by cervical cancer. I know I can count on each one of us to work together to tackle this challenge,” he stated.

(On the left) the Minister of Health, Prof Benjamin HOUNKPATIN, (on the right), the WHO Resident Representative a.i., Dr Kouamé Jean KONAN during their speeches

Cervical cancer reflects global health inequalities. In 2020, in the African region, 110,755 women developed cervical cancer, and about 72,705 died from it. These staggering figures demonstrate the inequity in access to vaccination, screening, and treatment, which contribute to this heavy burden,” Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of Noncommunicable Diseases in the division of UHC/Communicable and Noncommunicable diseases at WHO Headquarters, highlighted in her virtual presentation.

In 2021, the WHO Regional Committee adopted the Regional Implementation Framework for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem (2021–2030) in the WHO African Region to accelerate progress. “Eliminating cervical cancer requires collective commitment, concerted action, and a bold vision. Together, we can create a future where no woman suffers from this preventable disease, a future where every woman can live in good health and realize her full potential,” said Dr. Konan Kouamé Jean, acting WHO Representative in Benin.

Achieving the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 necessitates strengthening HPV vaccination strategies, enhancing capacities for early screening and treatment of precancerous lesions, and providing palliative care for women with invasive cancer.

Richmond Tiemoko, the UNFPA country representative, encouraged all women to get screened regularly. “The UNFPA remains committed to working with the Government, the Claudine Talon Foundation, WHO, and other partners to intensify efforts to prevent cervical cancer, particularly through the training of health workers and the provision of laboratory equipment.

(On the left) Dr. Richmon TIEMOKO, UNFPA Country Representative and (on the right) Ms. Pounami DOKO, representative of the President of the Claudine Talon Foundation during their speeches.

Since 2019, Benin has implemented the pilot phase of the 'screen and treat' approach, HPV tests, and the ongoing construction of a reference hospital for cancer treatment with the support of the Claudine Talon Foundation, which continues to work to restore women's dignity and health in all forms.

The First Lady of Benin has been a champion for cervical cancer elimination, enlisting her foundation's support to raise awareness and expand access to screening services. Building upon its initial support to the Care4Afrique pilot project—a collaboration between the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Lalla Salma Foundation for Cancer Prevention and Treatment (LSF)—the Claudine Talon Foundation offers free cervical cancer screening services for women in ten health centers. Based on the encouraging results, the Foundation scaled up the successful pilot phase by introducing screening and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix in Cotonou, the location of the pilot project, and in Parakou. Consequently, women aged 25 to 49 are screened for free in ten primary health centers (PHCs) in Benin, where treatment of precancerous lesions is also free. The First Lady’s Foundation regularly carries out national awareness campaigns on cervical cancer. In 2022, 6,901 women were screened, 327 tested positive, and 118 were treated. These are among many reasons that make Benin a pioneer in accelerating the achievement of the 90-70-90 objectives for eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.

“We still face challenges in the fight against cervical cancer. Therefore, cervical cancer screening for all women from 25 years old has been integrated into Routine Primary Health Care Services in Benin, ensuring awareness of this terrible disease,” says Ms. Pounami Doko, representative of the President of the Claudine Talon Foundation.

Since 2016, the Government of Benin has launched major reforms in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including the creation of new regulatory authorities overseeing the Ministry of Health and building high-quality infrastructure. These initiatives aim to encourage early recourse to care, facilitate early detection of silent conditions, and ensure adequate healthcare. 

WHO Representative a.i. with WHO75 health champions in Benin