Dr Catherine Nyongesa Applauds Historic Move to Declare World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day

By John Kariuki

In a monumental step towards eradicating one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting women globally, the World Health Assembly has officially declared November 17th as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, to be observed annually beginning in 2025. This landmark declaration signals a renewed and resolute global commitment to confront cervical cancer head-on — a disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year, particularly in developing nations.

Among those celebrating this bold move is Dr Catherine Nyongesa, one of Kenya’s most distinguished oncologists and CEO of the Texas Cancer Centre. Known for her relentless advocacy for affordable and accessible cancer care, Dr Nyongesa welcomed the announcement as a transformational milestone in the global health agenda.

“This is not just a commemoration , it is a call to action,” Dr Nyongesa said. “It affirms that the world is finally taking a unified stand against a disease that has devastated far too many families, despite being entirely preventable and treatable.”

The declaration builds on the foundation laid by a 2020 World Health Assembly resolution, which outlined an ambitious yet achievable global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. The strategy rests on three critical pillars: widespread HPV vaccination, routine screening, and timely treatment  all of which require sustained investment, awareness, and political will.

Dr Nyongesa emphasized that while the global recognition is commendable, the real work lies in translating this momentum into tangible action, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

“In Kenya and across the region, we continue to see lives lost simply because screening isn’t accessible, vaccines aren’t widespread, and stigma still lingers,” she said. “This day must become a platform not only for awareness, but for real policy reform, increased funding, and community education.”

Under Dr Nyongesa’s leadership, the Texas Cancer Centre has emerged as a leading institution in Kenya’s fight against cancer providing life-saving treatment to thousands while advocating tirelessly for equity in cancer care. Her work has not only helped demystify the disease but also empowered patients, families, and communities to demand better healthcare.

As the world prepares to mark the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day in 2025, Dr Nyongesa’s voice stands as a reminder of what is possible when science, leadership, and compassion align.

“With the right commitment, we can consign cervical cancer to history,” she affirmed. “This is our moment to act   to ensure that no woman, no matter where she lives, is left behind.”