Statistics have revealed a growing cervical cancer concern in Malawi as an estimated 3 340 women die yearly, translating to nine deaths per day. The statistics are contained in a joint analysis by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the University of Sydney titled ‘Elimination Planning Tool: Advancing Towards Cervical Cancer Elimination Malawi’. The analysis shows that Malawi recorded an estimated 4 701 new cases in 2023, resulting in an age-standardised incidence rate of 70.9 per 100 000 women, a jump from 4 150 cases recorded in 2020 and 2 905 deaths.
Without any intervention, the analysis predicts that a total of 463 734 women in Malawi will die from the disease between 701 new cases in 2023, resulting in an age-standardised incidence rate of 70.9 per 100 000 women, a jump from 4 150 cases recorded in 2020 and 2 905 deaths.
Without any intervention, the analysis predicts that a total of 463 734 women in Malawi will die from the disease between WHO set the 90-70-90 target, a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, requiring countries to achieve 90 percent HPV vaccination (girls by age 15), 70 percent screening coverage (women aged between 35 and 45) and 90
percent treatment for pre-cancer or invasive cancer by 2030.
“If Malawi achieves the WHO’s proposed ‘90-70-90’ targets by 2030, cervical cancer
could be eliminated as a public health problem in Malawi by 2120, and 1 613 257 lives would be saved by 2120.
“As suming one-dose vaccination and twice lifetime screening, implementation
of this strategy in Malawi will require a total budget of $43 163 429 [about K75.5 billion] during the first 10 years of implementation,” it reads in part.
The repor t says the elimination strategy will require
3 989 108 HPV-vaccine doses and 722 719 HPV-tests during the first 10 years.
“In the first 10 years after initiating scale-up, cancer
treatment has a substantial impact on deaths averted relative to the other two pillars, preventing 5 766 cervical cancer deaths by 2030,” it adds.
In a written response, obstetrics and gynaecology expert Dr Chisale Mhango said the statistics are alarming, but stressed that the figures can be reversed through immunisation, routine screening to detect and treat precancerous lesions.
“Malawi has been providing vaccines to immunise girls against the HPV infection before the age of getting it. Boys, too, need the vaccination.
“The only reason why boys are not included in the HPV vaccination programme is that we can’t afford the cost. Even girls are not adequately reached with the HPV vaccine,” he said.
Mhango also suggested that all family planning clients should be screened for cervical cancer through the cheaper method of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA).
International Coalition on Health Financing Advocacy chairperson Maziko Matemba said the high mortality rate shows that many women are diagnosed late, reducing chances of survival as treatment options are limited.
He said other challenges include lack of routine and functional radiotherapy within the country, forcing the government to refer a small number of patients abroad for this life-saving treatment.
“Malawi’s capacity to treat cervical cancer is currently categorized as basic but is
undergoing significant expansion. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation reported a 61 percent treatment rate for identified cases in late 2024.
“Over the last four years, approximately 20 000 patients have received treatment. Malawi has also significantly increased the number of sites offering VIA and thermal coagulation for precancerous lesions,” said Matemba.
On his part, Malawi Health Equity Network executive director George Jobe said the public cancer centre in Lilongwe and a private cancer hospital in Blantyre show some progress for Malawi, but challenges remain.
“Some older women are uncomfortable to be screened by young or male health workers, leading to low uptake or delayed care.
“There is also a need to encourage professional and working women to prioritize screening and to expand outreach clinics to underserved and hard-to-reach areas,” he said.
Ministry of Health and Sanitation spokesperson Benedicto Mbewe did not respond to our questions sent last Wednesday despite several reminders.
However, Ministry of Health and Sanitation Principal Secretary for Administration Beston Chisamile recently stressed the need to strengthen HPV vaccination programmes and expand screening.
“We need to integrate cervical cancer services at all levels and ensure treatment and follow up for women diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
Malawi vaccinated 91 percent of the targeted 2.5 million girls with HPV vaccination in a campaign which ran from October 27 to November 2025.
Currently, screening of the targeted group stands at 40 percent while treatment coverage stands at 50 percent
