Abstract
Cervical cancer cases in low-income countries (LICs) are on the rise, whereas the reverse is true for high-income countries (HICs). With sub-Saharan Africa carrying the highest burden of cervical cancer cases and deaths globally, demand for governments in the region to act proactively in addressing the situation is a clarion call. Unfortunately, this is not the case as cervical cancer receives low attention from governments in the sub-Saharan region compared to other disease areas. Cervical cancer research interest and prevention policy has also been found to be low among researchers in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper comments on the sub-Saharan cervical cancer and HPV vaccination policy narrative and clarifies the imperative for action; in particular, given the resulting morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer is preventable. The paper emphasizes scientists’ call to promote health and the need for governments to consider research and researchers’ opinion when designing policy to eradicate cervical cancer. The prevalence of the disease and the mortality rate in the sub-Saharan region represent a public health grand challenge. Engaging relevant stakeholders to actively collaborate in reducing and eventually eliminating the disease is encouraged.
Keywords
Cervical cancer, HPV vaccination, Policy, Priority, sub-Saharan Africa