Rwanda to eradicate cervical cancer by 2027

By The Inspirer.

On February 1, 2025, the Rwandan government officially launched a comprehensive plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027.

This initiative was revealed during the second day of the announcement of Rwanda’s five-year health sector development plan (HSSP V) and the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy, which is set to eradicate the disease by 2027—three years ahead of the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal.

Rwanda aims to fully eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, a milestone it hopes to reach well before the 2030 target set by the WHO.

Since 2011, Rwanda has been running a vaccination program for young girls to protect them from cervical cancer. Currently, 93% of girls in the country have been vaccinated against the disease.

The cost to vaccinate one girl is $7.25, while the cost for basic screening for women is $13.20.

For women who need preventive treatment after it has been identified that they will likely develop cervical cancer in the future, the cost is $37.90.

If cervical cancer is already diagnosed and requires surgical treatment, the cost for surgery is $2,640.10.

Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana emphasized that this program will be implemented nationwide, with progress already made in districts such as Karongi, Gicumbi, Nyabihu, Rubavu, and other regions of Rwanda.

He stated, “Today, we are committed to tackling cervical cancer. We will achieve this goal quickly. It is the second most concerning cancer in terms of its prevalence and the number of lives it claims.”

The Ministry of Health reports that the total investment required to eliminate cervical cancer in the country is estimated at 54.5 billion Rwandan Francs (about $45 million).

The World Health Organization’s global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer aims to reduce the incidence rate to under 4 per 100,000 women by 2030.

By 2030, countries are expected to achieve the 90-70-90 targets, which means that, in the coming years, cervical cancer will be eradicated.

Globally, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer affecting and killing women, and the second most prevalent cancer in Africa that can be prevented.

In a bid to fight this deadly disease, the Rwandan government has included cervical cancer treatment in the country’s health insurance coverage, giving more people access to care and helping save many lives.