As world leaders arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 Summit this weekend, the city's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue will be illuminated in the color teal. The Brazilian advocates behind this effort are among many around the globe joining the World Health Organization (WHO) to mobilize efforts on a worldwide "Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination." Other countries are marking the day with campaigns to provide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, launching new health policies to align with the world's first-ever effort to eliminate a cancer, and raising awareness in communities.
Four years ago to the day, 194 countries resolved to eliminate cervical cancer and WHO launched a global strategy. Since then, significant progress has been made. At least 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, over 60 countries now include HPV testing in their cervical screening programmes and 83 countries include surgical-care services for cervical cancer in health-benefit packages.
I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort. While we are making progress, we still face huge inequities, with women in low-income countries bearing most of the burden. Only with strong leadership and sustained investment can we achieve our shared goal of equitable access for communities most in need.
" Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General Marking this campaign for the fourth year, governments, partners and civil society a.