The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating cervical cancer in the UAE through a proactive national strategy targeting the human papillomavirus (HPV), a major cause of the disease.
Central to the strategy is a bold goal: vaccinate 90% of girls against HPV before the age of 15 by 2030. The plan also calls for routine cervical cancer screening beginning at age 25, alongside the provision of world-class treatment options for affected individuals. These efforts align with the World Health Organization’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.
The UAE made a regional breakthrough in 2018 by becoming the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean to include the HPV vaccine in its national immunisation programme for schoolgirls aged 13–14. In 2023, the programme expanded to include boys in the same age group—reinforcing community-wide protection and addressing the broader risks of HPV-related diseases in both genders.
MoHAP highlighted that the strategy is rooted in prevention, early detection, and public education, and is closely aligned with the "Year of Community" initiative. This nationwide campaign emphasises health as a shared responsibility across individuals, institutions, and society.
Cervical cancer remains the fifth most common cancer among women in the UAE, though incidence rates are notably below the global average—credit to the country’s sustained immunisation and awareness efforts. MoHAP recommends regular screening for women aged 25 to 65 every three to five years to ensure early detection and improved recovery outcomes.
The strategy’s success has garnered praise from the World Health Organization, spotlighting the UAE as a regional leader in HPV prevention and women’s health advancement.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
