Marc Hagenimana
Rwanda Biomedical Centre , RwandaPresentation Title:
Bridging the gap: Rwanda’s HPV control model as a blueprint for global cervical cancer elimination before 2030
Abstract
Introduction
Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge, claiming a life every two minutes. In Rwanda, with 7 million women, 866 cases and 609 deaths were reported in 2022. The country is making significant progress toward achieving the WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy for cervical cancer elimination. This study presents a five-year progress report on Rwanda’s achievements in cervical cancer prevention and control.
Methods
Rwanda was the first African nation to launch a national HPV vaccination program in 2011, targeting 12-year-old girls. Alongside vaccination, the country has expanded HPV/DNA-based screening and treatment for precancerous lesions. The FAST model (fast HPV testing, affordable cost per woman, systematic tracking, and timely treatment) has accelerated screening, reaching 800–1,000 women daily. Data were extracted from the national cervical cancer screening database (OpenMRS), covering 459 health facilities implementing the program nationwide.
Results
- Since 2011, Rwanda has consistently maintained over 90% HPV vaccination coverage, reaching 97% in 2019 and 90% in 2023, with 1.3 million girls vaccinated.
- Screening began in 2014, adopting HPV/DNA testing as the primary method in 2020.
- 533,781 women have been screened, achieving 33% national coverage of the 1.5 million eligible women.
- Among 400,521 women tested for HPV, 18% were HPV-positive, 7% had precancerous lesions, and 0.7% had invasive cancer.
- 91% of affected women received timely treatment.
Conclusion
Rwanda’s comprehensive cervical cancer strategy serves as a global model for elimination. By integrating HPV vaccination into routine immunization, leveraging school-based programs, and strengthening community outreach, Rwanda has successfully increased screening coverage and streamlined treatment pathways. These robust efforts position the country to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, surpassing the WHO’s 2030 90-70-90 targets.
Biography
Marc Hagenimana is a cancer diseases senior officer at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the implementing agency of Rwanda’s Ministry of Health. With over a decade of experience in cancer prevention and control, he has played a key role in developing Rwanda’s national cancer control plan, cervical cancer elimination strategies, and the national cancer registry. He has led initiatives in cervical cancer screening, breast cancer early detection, cancer epidemiology, surveillance, and research. Additionally, Marc serves as an external reviewer for CI5 with IARC and has contributed to international cancer research efforts. He holds an MPH from Clarke International University/Uganda.
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