The messsage below is a translation of a post on HIFA-Portuguese on November 11. For the original message and more information on the HIFA-Portuguese forum see: https://www.hifa.org/forums/hifa-portuguese (We also have forums in French and Spanish)
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Acknowledgments to Prof. Shabir Moosa and AfroPHC:
Cabo Verde steps up efforts to eliminate cervical cancer
Source: Press release from the WHO Regional Office for Africa, November 10, 2026
https://www.afro.who.int/countries/cabo-verde/news/cabo-verde-steps-effo...
The WHO reports that the Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde, with technical assistance from the WHO and funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), is supporting a National Acceleration Plan to eliminate cervical cancer. In October 2026, a WHO mission conducted 12 field visits and consulted with approximately 60 individuals. A pilot project on the island of Boa Vista—scheduled to begin in 2027 and covering about 1,500 women—aims to increase uptake of HPV screening and establish a continuum of care, spanning from screening to diagnosis and treatment. A representative from the Ministry stated that the country has surpassed its 90% HPV vaccination coverage target for girls and has also included boys in its vaccination strategy. EXCERPTS
Praia, Cabo Verde – Cabo Verde is intensifying its efforts to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, through an initiative led by the Ministry of Health, with technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and financial support from the Government of Spain, via the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)...
The initiative aims to support the development of a National Acceleration Plan to consolidate progress already made, strengthen the capacity of health services, and transform international commitments into concrete, sustainable interventions. It also includes strengthening technical capacity, updating clinical protocols, providing additional equipment and supplies, and developing a communication and awareness-raising strategy...
On the island of Boa Vista—selected for the implementation of the pilot project—visits were conducted to the Health Center, the laboratory, the Maternal and Child Health Service, and a private clinic. These visits allowed for a more in-depth analysis of the conditions required to implement an organized screening pilot project. Discussions with community associations and other local stakeholders also highlighted the importance of community engagement in raising awareness among women and mobilizing them to participate...
The project aims to increase uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) screening by strengthening mechanisms for identifying and inviting women to participate. It also seeks to establish a care pathway that ensures continuity—from screening to diagnosis and, when necessary, treatment...
Key needs identified include: improving the availability and use of data for decision-making, defining effective strategies to encourage women’s participation in screening, and establishing clear workflows for follow-up, referral, and monitoring...
Dr. Risete Gomes, head of the health sector in Boa Vista, emphasized the importance of ensuring clear, consistent, and standardized communication between healthcare professionals and the women they serve, in order to improve understanding of the screening program, its benefits, and the necessity of follow-up care. She also underscored the need to strengthen training for healthcare teams, viewing this as essential for ensuring service quality and the sustainable implementation of the project...
Dr. Heidy Teixeira, representing the Minister of Health, reaffirmed Cape Verde’s commitment to aligning its national response with the WHO Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem. She further noted that the target of 90% HPV vaccination coverage among girls has been surpassed, and that boys have now been included in the national vaccination strategy.
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HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org