By The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is intensifying its public health strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030. This initiative aligns with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and International Gynaecological Health Day.
While the province has expanded access to screening, health authorities emphasize that screening must integrate into a comprehensive clinical pathway linking women directly to appropriate medical care upon the identification of any abnormalities.
Progress is evident in recent service delivery data. During the 2025/26 financial year, close to 200 000 women underwent cervical cancer screening across the province, reflecting a 29% increase compared to the previous financial year. This surge followed targeted provincial awareness campaigns. However, the Department acknowledges the ongoing challenge of reaching women who remain outside the healthcare net.
To anchor this transition, Gauteng is implementing South Africa’s new Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategic and Implementation Framework 2026–2030. This roadmap closely mirrors the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global 90-70-90 targets:
- HPV Vaccination: Ensuring 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus by age 15.
- Screening Coverage: Reaching 70% of women with a high-performance screening test by the recommended ages.
- Treatment Access: Providing appropriate treatment to 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease.
Prevention efforts in the province also target younger demographics through school-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation campaigns. In the 2025/26 financial year, 81 989 Grade 5 girls received the HPV vaccine, encompassing 72 249 learners in public schools and 9 740 in independent schools.
These initiatives run parallel to the WHO’s broader focus on lifelong sexual and reproductive health, emphasizing that access to essential services remains vital for overall health, dignity, and wellbeing. Moving forward, the GDoH intends to scale up community outreach, streamline referral pathways, and boost vaccination and screening rates to secure early detection and timely intervention for women across the province.
