Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Ministry of Health held a cervical cancer awareness and training session for its headquarters staff on today , 1 August 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane. The session focused on the Cervical Cancer Elimination Acceleration Plan 2024–2030, which aims to reduce new cases and eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Eswatini through prevention, early detection, and treatment.
The session, led by Regional Cancer Coordinator for Manzini, Nurse Busisiwe Gama, equipped Ministry of Health staff with vital knowledge on how cervical cancer develops, how it can be detected early, and the preventative actions needed to reduce risk. With cervical cancer being the most common cancer among women in Eswatini, the training marked an important milestone in empowering healthcare workers with lifesaving skills.
“Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if caught early,” said Gama. “We are here to ensure that every staff member understands the risks, the symptoms, and most importantly, how to take action, both as professionals and individuals.”
According to national data, cervical cancer accounts for 37.6% of all cancers among women in the country. In 2022 alone, about 417 women were diagnosed, with half of them succumbing to the disease. These sobering statistics underscore the urgency behind the Ministry’s strategic elimination plan.
The training covered key areas including the role of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV),the main cause of cervical cancer, and the importance of screening and early treatment. Participants were also introduced to the 90–70–90 targets set by the World Health Organization:
• 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15
• 70% of women screened by ages 35 and 45 using high-performance tests
• 90% of women identified with cervical disease receiving treatment
Encouragingly, Eswatini is already on track, with 74.4% HPV vaccination coverage recorded by May 2025, and over 45,000 women screened in 2024 alone.
A deeply moving moment during the session was the testimony of a cancer survivor, who shared her emotional journey of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Her story brought hope and renewed urgency to the room, reminding participants that early detection can indeed save lives.
The Ministry also highlighted its expanding services, including mobile screening through the cancer truck, psychosocial support, patient transport assistance, and plans to build a national radiotherapy center.
As the country rallies behind the 2024–2030 plan, the Ministry of Health is calling on all sectors, civil society, parents, schools, and businesses, to join forces in the fight against cervical cancer. “Every life saved matters,” said Gama. “We are working for a future where no woman in Eswatini dies from a preventable disease.”
KEY FACTS ON CERVICAL CANCER IN ESWATINI
• Most common cancer among women
• 417 cases in 2022; approx. 50% mortality rate
• 37.6% of total female cancer burden
• Linked primarily to HPV
• Can be prevented through vaccination and early screening
For more information or to book a cervical cancer screening, visit your nearest health facility or contact the Ministry of Health Cancer Control Unit.
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