Naga intensifies drive vs cervical cancer

NAGA CITY, Philippines — Naga Mayor Leni Robredo has vowed to intensify the local government’s campaign against cervical cancer, noting the alarmingly low screening rate and vaccination among women.

“Cervical cancer remains a significant health concern here in Naga City, especially in communities that lack awareness, understanding and access to healthcare opportunities,” Robredo told stakeholders who attended a summit recently organized by the city government here.

“What’s painful is that it is 100 percent preventable. We can prevent cervical cancer through HPV vaccination and early screening,” she said, referring to human papillomavirus.

In 2024, Robredo noted that only 43 percent of girls aged nine to 14 in the city received their doses of HPV vaccine, which is significantly lower than the global target of at least 90 percent.

She said the figure even went down to 40 percent last year.

Robredo said that less than two percent of eligible women in the city have undergone cervical cancer screening in recent years.

Organized in partnership with the Department of Health and various government and non-government partners, Naga’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit aims to accelerate coordinated action on HPV prevention and cervical cancer control.

Robredo said the city plans to raise the HPV vaccination rate among young women to at least 60 to 70 percent this year.

“Then we will aim within the next three years to reach 90 percent… We will come up with a schedule, yearly targets,” she said.