Executive Summary
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Kenya, despite it being very preventable
and having effective management approaches. Approximately 6,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer
in Kenya in 2022, and 3,600 died from the disease. The Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer as A Public Health
Problem requires countries to ensure at least 90% of girls are vaccinated against HPV by age 15 years, 70% of women
are screened at least twice in a lifetime with a high-precision test and 90% of women with cervical precancer or
invasive cancer receive treatment.
Kenya has experienced both successes and challenges in implementing cervical cancer elimination strategies. In 2024,
61% of girls received the first HPV dose. Although 48% of women targeted for screened in 2024 were actually screened,
only 6% were screened using HPV testing. Of those eligible for treatment, only 43% were actually treated. These gaps
underscore the need for accelerated action to put Kenya firmly on the path to cervical cancer elimination. OR
These gaps reveal that Kenya’s journey toward cervical cancer elimination is still incomplete and requires focused
attention.
This action plan, therefore, seeks to spur action to put Kenya on track to achieving the 2030 elimination interim targets.
Through detailed situational, gap and root-cause analysis, a multi-stakeholder effort identified priority actions for
spurring progress towards the 2030 targets. This action plan has 21 operational objectives, with specific actions under
each, grouped into three key result areas, which are aligned to the three elimination targets. This is outlined in the
table below:
| Key Result Area | Operational Objectives | Target |
|---|---|
|
HPV Vaccination |
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Strengthen and expand equitable, timely, and integrated HPV vaccine delivery with the goal of achieving at least 90% coverage of girls by age 15 years, by the year 2030 |
HPV vaccination coverage among eligible girls is increased to at least 90%”. |
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Strengthen the capacity, motivation and availability of the health workforce to deliver HPV vaccines safely and effectively. |
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Strengthen the health information system to ensure complete, timely, and integrated data capture, reporting, and decision making on HPV vaccination across public and private sectors by 2030. |
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Strengthen the HPV vaccine supply chain through timely forecasting, equitable distribution and innovative delivery. |
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Secure long-term domestic and external financing for HPV vaccine procurement and delivery. |
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Promote strong political leadership, policy integration, and multi-sectoral coordination to support HPV vaccination. |
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Secure long-term domestic and external financing for HPV vaccine procurement and delivery. |
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Promote uptake of HPV vaccination through effective behavior change messages and interventions directed at caregivers, health care providers, religious leaders, and other community influencers. |
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|
Screening and Precancer Treatment |
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Ensure health facilities have adequate capacity/service readiness for screening and precancer treatment. |
At least 70% of women 30- 49 years are screened using HPV testing; and at least 90% of those with precancer receive treatment |
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Ensure quality assurance in cervical cancer screening and treatment. |
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Strengthen Health Care worker capacity for cervical cancer screening and treatment. |
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Increase community awareness and demand creation for screening. |
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Enhance data management and use in decision making. |
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Increase financial prioritization for cervical cancer screening and treatment in national and county health budgets, and other financing mechanisms (costs of tests, devices, consumables, maintenance, and provider payment mechanisms). |
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Strengthen Leadership and Governance for cervical cancer screening and precancer treatment at both national and county level. |
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Ensure provision of quality cervical cancer screening and pre-cancer treatment services. |
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Diagnosis, Treatment, Palliative and Survivorship Care for Invasive Cervical Cancer |
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Strengthen infrastructural capacity of comprehensive specialized facilities offering diagnostic, treatment and palliative care for cervical cancer. |
At least 90% of women with invasive cervical cancer receive comprehensive treatment, palliative and survivorship care. |
|
Strengthen the capacity of the counties and regional cancer centers to avail treatment, palliative Health product and technologies to deliver comprehensive cervical cancer and survivorship diagnosis, treatment and palliative care. |
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Comprehensively provide financial cover for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. |
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Strengthen cervical cancer data systems for effective monitoring, planning, and quality improvement of diagnosis and treatment services across all levels of care. |
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Strengthen leadership and governance systems for effective policy implementation, coordination, and oversight of cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment. |
The implementation of the action plan will be undertaken by both national and county governments, in collaboration with other stakeholders. To achieve this, existing coordination mechanisms will require to be strengthened, including the school health TWG, county NCD and Immunization TWGs, National Cervical Cancer Elimination TWG, all reporting to the Council of Governors (CoG) and NCD Interagency Coordination Committee (NCD-ICC).
Resource requirements and justification
To implement the health system strengthening interventions proposed in this action plan, KES 1.2 Billion will be required
over five years. Of this, 27% is for interventions to be implemented primarily by counties, 16% by national government
and 57% is shared by the two levels of government. A proposal to establish two additional PET/SPECT centers at MTRH
and Mombasa regional cancer center will require KES 1.4 Billion.
Cervical cancer elimination service provision components are comprehensively covered in the Social Health Insurance Funds (SHIF).
Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF)
Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
Emergency and Chronic Conditions Insurance Fund (ECCIF)
In conclusion, this Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for Kenya’s journey toward cervical cancer elimination. With sustained commitment and collaborations, we can advance toward a cervical cancer-free kenya, safeguarding the health and well-being of women and girls across nation.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, EBS
Director General For Health
Ministry of Health, Kenya