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Ministry of Health says cervical cancer poses a significant public health challenge in Malawi, claiming approximately 1,600 lives annually, with projections estimating a rise to 15,705 deaths by 2030. According to the ministry, currently Malawi reports around 2,300 new cases each year, a figure expected to escalate dramatically to 22,545 new cases annually by 2030 if there are no interventions to fight the disease. This was revealed during a media briefing the ministry organised in Mponela, Dowa. Speaking on the matter, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Routine immunisation Officer, Tuweni Chumachapera, said Malawi is the second-highest contributor to cervical cancer deaths globally, hence the urgent need for effective intervention strategies. She said the Ministry of Health has recognised the severity of this crisis and is actively working to curb the disease’s impact through comprehensive prevention initiatives, which include the targeted Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which aims to protect young girls and women from the primary cause of cervical cancer, as HPV infection is a leading risk factor for the disease. The Cervical cancer injection (HPV vaccination) campaign is specifically targeting girls born from 2007 to 2016 who are 9 to 18 years, scheduled to run from October 27 to October 31 2025. In his remarks, Technical Advisor responsible for vaccine-preventable diseases at Amref Health Africa, Chris Chinkhota, said the initiative is a critical component of the country’s broader cancer prevention strategy, which aims to reduce the long-term prevalence of cervical cancer by immunising young girls before they are exposed to HPV. The vaccine prevents 95% of infections from HPV types, hence the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends HPV vaccination for girls. Although Malawi introduced the HPV vaccine in 2019, the coverage remains at 22% hence, the ministry is challenging the media to raise awareness on accurate information on the matter in order to educate communities, dispel myths, and encourage participation in the vaccination drive.
