The Gauteng Department of Health is strengthening its contribution to the national effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, with a continued focus on prevention, screening, early detection and access to appropriate treatment.

According to the department, the initiative comes as South Africa marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in September and International Gynaecological Health Day on September 10.

The department stated that while Gauteng has made progress in increasing access to cervical cancer screening, it recognises that more eligible women need to be reached and that screening must be part of a complete pathway that connects women to appropriate care when abnormalities are identified.

“During the 2025/26 financial year, almost 200 000 women were screened for cervical cancer, a 29% increase compared with the previous financial year.

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“The increase followed awareness drives implemented across the province, with the department continuing to identify opportunities to strengthen screening uptake and reach women who are not yet accessing the service,” said the health department.

The department said that the shift towards elimination is supported by South Africa’s new Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategic and Implementation Framework 2026-2030, which sets out a national roadmap covering HPV vaccination, screening, treatment, survivorship and palliative care. The framework is aligned with the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination.

The department explained that these targets call for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women to be screened with a high-performance test by the recommended ages, and 90% of women identified with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment.

The WHO says all three pillars vaccination, screening and treatment need to be pursued together to move countries towards elimination.

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“The GDoH’s prevention efforts also include HPV vaccination among schoolgoing girls. During the 2025/26 financial year, 81 989 Grade 5 girls were vaccinated against HPV, comprising 72 249 girls in public schools and 9 740 in independent schools,” said the department.

The health department indicated that the province’s approach is consistent with the World Health Organization’s broader emphasis on strengthening sexual and reproductive health services throughout people’s lives.

The WHO’s 2026 sexual and reproductive health messaging highlights access to essential health services and the importance of sexual and reproductive health to overall health, dignity and well-being.

The department added that it will continue to strengthen community awareness, HPV vaccination, screening and referral pathways as part of efforts to ensure that more women benefit from prevention, early detection and timely care.