Various organizations have held a workshop in Maseru, to strategise on eliminating cervical cancer, as a public health problem.

According to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation-EGPAF, cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Lesotho, with an estimated 541 new cases diagnosed annually and 362 deaths recorded each year.

This high mortality rate is attributed to several factors, including late hospital visits when the cancer has already progressed, as well as financial constraints that prevent many women from seeking medical attention.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health, through its Non-Communicable Diseases department, is developing a national cervical cancer elimination strategy. This strategy aims to identify existing gaps and outline solutions to tackle them.

Deputy Medical Director at Baylor College of Medicine Dr. Thithili Makhesi explained that, in November 2020, the World Health Organization launched a Global Strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2030.

Dr. Makhesi said, by implementing these strategies, Lesotho can work towards achieving the 2030 goal of a cervical cancer-free nation.

6th Mar 25