World Health Organization and Aga Khan University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the first collaborative initiative in Africa focused specifically on women’s cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancer. The partnership aims to strengthen cancer prevention and care by addressing gaps between global health standards and on-the-ground realities in low- and middle-income countries.
The initiative will focus on three core areas: generating and synthesizing evidence, building healthcare capacity, and advancing implementation research. These efforts are intended to improve access to quality cancer services and align with broader global health goals, including universal health coverage and improved cancer care outcomes.
This collaboration comes amid a growing cancer burden worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for more than 70 percent of cancer-related deaths. In Kenya, cancer is the second leading cause of death, with tens of thousands of new cases and deaths recorded annually. Breast and cervical cancers represent a significant share of these cases, highlighting the urgent need for improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment services.
Health officials in Kenya note that the initiative will help expand human papillomavirus screening, strengthen referral systems, and improve diagnostic efficiency and access to treatment. Implementation research under the programme is expected to identify scalable solutions that enable earlier detection and more timely care, ultimately reducing late-stage cancer presentations.
The partnership also builds on previous collaborations involving the WHO and AKU in other regions, where joint efforts have contributed to improvements in patient safety, reproductive health, and policy-relevant research. In Africa, the initiative will support integrated service delivery models, workforce training, and specialist mentorship to enhance the overall quality of care.
With non-communicable diseases increasingly straining health systems, the initiative reflects a broader push to address rising healthcare challenges across the continent. By combining research, capacity building, and practical implementation strategies, the collaboration aims to improve cancer prevention and treatment while strengthening health systems in the long term.
