IN CONVERSATION WITH Dr LESLEY BAMFORD, acting Chief Director for Maternal, Women and Child’s Health.

South Africa will on Friday, 08 May 2026 officially launch the Strategy for South Africa’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategic and Implementation Framework 2026–2030, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat. 10:35 The launch comes against the backdrop of a significant disease burden, with global estimates indicating that a woman dies from cervical cancer approximately every two minutes. In South Africa, cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. In 2022 alone, approximately 11 000 women were diagnosed with the disease, while around 6 000 died as a result. The new national strategy aligns with the Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer and sets out ambitious targets aimed at strengthening prevention, early detection, and treatment. These include ensuring that 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus by the age of 15, screening 70% of women using high- performance tests by the ages of 35 and 45, and ensuring that 90% of women with pre-cancer receive treatment, while 90% of those with invasive cancer receive appropriate management. The official launch will be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, joined by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and other cabinet ministers. The event will also be attended by international and local stakeholders, including representatives from development partners such as the Director- General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as well as leaders from labour unions, civil society, and the private sector. The launch will take place at the Moletsane Sports Complex in Soweto, Johannesburg, and is scheduled to commence at 10h00 on Friday, 08 May 2026. The programme underscores government’s commitment to strengthening public health systems and advancing women’s health through prevention, early intervention, and improved access to treatment. Instagram · Twitter