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OPINION:HPV Testing, A Catalyst For Women’s Empowerment

Published

8 months ago

February 6, 2025

Editor

An old proverb from the Congo says, “A mother is like a kernel, crushed by problems but strong enough to overcome them”. Throughout Africa, mothers, sisters – the continent’s primary caregivers – are expected to be strong. Indeed, their resilience is the glue that holds our families and economies together. Yet, women in the African Region are more vulnerable to many more life-threatening diseases and health conditions than women in other regions.

Among these illnesses is cervical cancer (caused by HPV – the Human Papillomavirus), which remains the leading cause of death in women in Sub-Saharan Africa – even though it is preventable. January, marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, comes around every year – and every year, we move closer to the WHO (World Health Organization) 2030 “90-70-90” cervical cancer elimination targets.

That is, 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine; 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again at 45; and 90% of women identified with cervical disease receiving treatment (90% of women with invasive cancer managed). We still have a long way to go.

The economic case for investment in HPV screening

With fewer than five years left to achieve the 90-70-90 targets, we’re in a race against the clock. To make the case for urgent action for African women’s health, let’s consider that none of us exists in a vacuum. A cycle of cause and effect starts in the smallest corners of our communities and escalates to the most significant factors influencing our economies.

When a family’s primary caregiver or breadwinner becomes a casualty of cervical cancer, an entire family system collapses. According to estimates, for every 100 mothers who die from cervical or breast cancer in resource-poor settings, 14 children die before their 10th birthday, and 210 become maternal orphans.

As a young physician serving in rural communities in my home country, Kenya, I observed the cycle firsthand. Children left behind suffer enhanced exposure to malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia or even malnutrition because their mother is not there to care for them. Beyond the awful tragedy this represents for good, hardworking people, this also perpetuates a domino effect that trickles down to local economies.

In Africa, women comprise an estimated 50% of the agricultural sector labour force, power over 50% of all SMEs (as per IFC data), and support families (African Development Bank). Valuable members of our communities, their children and their families are at risk. These are all potentially valuable contributors to our society and economy. Logically, for Africa to realise its full economic potential, we must prioritise women’s health.

Ending the cycle

There are currently two methods of testing; the traditional method is a pap smear, which many women will be familiar with. In addition to its low sensitivity and need to be conducted more often, the method leaves many women feeling embarrassed or vulnerable during the sample collection process. However, a second option empowers women to avoid the perceived indignity of a pap smear. This relatively recent innovation is the HPV-DNA testing with the self-collection kit – now available from many healthcare providers.

According to the WHO, self-collection has proved to be as reliable as samples collected by healthcare providers. The most significant benefit of self-collection is that once the self-collection kit has been picked from your nearest healthcare facility, sample collection can be done in the privacy of your home. Lancet and other participating laboratories provide lists of local locations where kits are available.

Currently, lack of access to national HPV screening, vaccination, testing and treatment programmes as well as lack of education and social and economic inequities, prevent women from taking their cervical health into their own hands, leaving many at risk. We can change this.

Partnerships powering progress

Governments and policymakers worldwide are becoming more committed to prioritising diagnostics. This commitment was bolstered by the 2022 adoption of the WHO Resolution on Strengthening Diagnostics Capacity by participating member states at the World Health Assembly.

The Resolution prompts government stakeholders to drive equitable access to diagnostics, ultimately driving universal healthcare for all people. To accomplish the WHO goals, however, we need a collective effort – from our communities, the private and public sectors, healthcare practitioners and anyone else who can make the time to have the necessary conversations about HPV.

Cervical cancer doesn’t just impact the individual—it affects entire communities. In low and middle-income countries, the financial burden of late-stage treatment falls heavily on families and national healthcare systems. Advanced treatments like chemotherapy are costly and often unattainable for many, driving households into poverty.

By contrast, early diagnosis through HPV testing alleviates these financial pressures. It reduces the cost of treatment, eases the strain on overburdened healthcare systems and enables women to remain active contributors to their families and the economy.

When women thrive, so do the communities they support. Early testing for HPV is the open “secret weapon” – and our roadmap to 90-70-90.

By Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa at Roche Diagnostics.

Related Topics:Dr Allan Pamba HPV Testing Roche

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JUST IN: Court Declares Utomi’s ‘Shadow Govt’ Unconstitutional

Published

2 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, and his associates to halt their plan to establish a shadow government.

In a judgment delivered on Monday in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), the judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared that the idea of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and incompatible with the nation’s presidential system of government.

The judge held that the idea was inconsistent with the country’s presidential system and could mislead citizens.

He ruled that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise any parallel or alternative government outside the one it provides for.

“Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people. Such a shadow government is hereby declared void,” the judge ruled.

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JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues

Published

4 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The union made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.

At the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for universities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

Details later

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JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

Published

7 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It was observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union.

Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action.

Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors.

He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.

PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.

On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.

“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.