Tanzania is strengthening efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by expanding vaccination, screening, early diagnosis and timely treatment, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, has said.
Dr Magembe made the remarks on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where she addressed a high-level stakeholder meeting organised by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) to accelerate global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.
She said Tanzania had made significant progress towards the first target of the global 90-70-90 strategy, with more than 95 percent of girls reached with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
“However, there is a need to accelerate screening and treatment,” Dr Magembe said.
The 90-70-90 targets call for 90 percent of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70 percent of women to be screened with a high-performance test by ages 35 and 45, and 90 percent of women identified with cervical disease to receive treatment.
Dr Magembe said the government, in collaboration with development partners, was increasing investment and expanding screening services, particularly in rural areas.
Among the measures being implemented is the use of HPV DNA self-sampling, which allows women to collect samples themselves and could help expand access to screening services.
She said Tanzania had also distributed 359 thermocoagulation devices and 33 Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) machines, while 4,032 health workers had been trained in cervical cancer screening.
The government is also testing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including the SEVIA system, to improve cervical cancer screening services.
Dr Magembe stressed the importance of collaboration among the government, private sector, development partners and communities in tackling cervical cancer, particularly by reducing stigma and increasing demand for screening and treatment.
She said Tanzania's goal was to ensure that every girl had access to HPV vaccination, every woman could access quality screening and everyone requiring treatment received timely and affordable care through Universal Health Coverage.