ThinkWell blog examines the impact of US government funding cuts on cervical cancer prevention in Kenya and ways forward

A ThinkWell blog examines the significant blow dealt to cervical cancer financing in Kenya, following United States (US) foreign assistance cuts. US government funding has directly supported cervical cancer prevention in the country through USAID, PEPFAR, and CDC, as well as indirectly through the Global Fund and Gavi. Almost all of the US government directly-funded cervical cancer projects have been cut, and projects granted waivers are not receiving their allocated funds. Additionally, the US recently announced it plans to stop funding Gavi, the main donor supporting HPV vaccination in Kenya.

The authors outline an immediate budget gap of at least $US3.3M facing the cervical cancer program this year, and elaborate on the wider impact of losing the US government’s share of Gavi and Global Fund support. The authors conclude by proposing ways for the government to sustain gains made by the cervical cancer program and pave the way towards cervical cancer elimination. These include:

1. Achieving cost efficiencies by integrating vertical programs into the wider health system
2. Reinvesting the cost savings from the switch to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule to boost coverage
3. Galvanizing political will to mobilize domestic resources for health and prioritize financing for cervical cancer prevention
4. Engaging non-traditional partners to fill gaps

ThinkWell is supporting the Kenyan National Cancer Control Program and National Vaccines & Immunization Programme to develop a costed National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan, which aims to accelerate Kenya’s progress toward eliminating cervical cancer.