U.S. Embassy
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, 193
Caixa Postal, 783
Maputo
MOZAMBIQUE
PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Embassy Celebrates Partnership with the Mozambican Government on Lifesaving Cervical Cancer Detection and Treatment
February 05, 2020 –On this World Cancer Day, we celebrate the advancements in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Countless lives have been saved by the innovative advancements of the world’s medical researchers, health care providers, and teachers.
The U.S. Government has long partnered with the Mozambican Government to improve cancer prevention and treatment. In just the past two years, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) invested $21.6 million to prevent and treat cervical cancer in Mozambique. This is part of the more than $500 million in annual assistance from the U.S. Government to improve the quality of education and healthcare, promote economic prosperity, and support the overall development of Mozambique.
Mozambique is one of 15 countries with the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world. According to the World Health Organization, there are about 4,300 new cases of cervical cancer every year and every year 3,400 Mozambican mothers, sisters, and daughters die from this disease.
In order to develop an effective response to cervical cancer in Mozambique, USAID assembled a renowned team of American and Mozambican researchers, doctors, and policymakers to conduct advanced research and identify new methods of detection and treatment. Collaborators include the Eduardo Mondlane University, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Ministry of Health, the Mozambican Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Rice University, Population Services International, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the International Gynecologic Cancer Society and the Clinton Health Access Initiative cancer center. This team has trained Mozambican healthcare providers on cervical cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, and integrated cancer screenings into family planning consultations in order to address the cause of cervical cancer.
Through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Government invests an additional $5.5 million a year in training for health care providers, infrastructure improvements in health facilities, and equipment for cervical cancer screening, and treatment. This investment led to the successful screening of more than 300,000 women at higher risk for cervical cancer, and the expedited treatment to thousands of women nationwide.
Together we have made advancements in treating cervical cancer that no single person, research organization, or country could have done alone. The U.S. Government remains committed to ensuring that our collective efforts save lives and lead to a healthier Mozambique. In celebration of World Cancer Day, we congratulate the Mozambican Government, local NGOs, research institutions, and our local and international partners for the achievements already made.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises. For more information about USAIDs work to foster sustainable development and advance human dignity visit www.usaid.gov.
For moreinformation about this press release, please contact the U.S. Embassy Maputo Press Office at MaputoPress@state.gov.
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