electra-supply.comAt a press conference held on October 18 by the National Health Commission of China, Director Shen Haiping of the Commission’s Department of Maternal and Child Health shared significant updates regarding the country’s cervical cancer prevention and control strategies. According to Shen, as of now, the free HPV (high-risk human papillomavirus) vaccination program has reached approximately 40% of eligible girls nationwide.
The conference provided insights into the state of cervical cancer prevention in China. Shen emphasized that cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV. With the ongoing industrialization and urbanization in China, changes in lifestyle are increasing the risk of HPV infection among women, consequently raising the incidence of cervical cancer, which is also trending towards younger ages.
Cervical cancer prevention is guided by a three-tiered approach. When discussing advancements in this area, Shen highlighted the emphasis on primary prevention, particularly through encouraging eligible girls to receive the HPV vaccine. She noted that local governments are being urged to innovate and take initiative in implementing these vaccinations. Currently, the free HPV vaccination program has been extended to about 40% of eligible girls across the country.
In a groundbreaking move, Hainan Province became the first in China to include the HPV vaccination initiative for eligible girls in its grassroots governance agenda, aiming to provide tangible benefits to citizens. Zhou Changqiang, the provincial health commission director, reported that from 2022 to 2024, Hainan Province has successfully vaccinated 180,000 girls, with a vaccination coverage target of over 90%.
Regarding secondary prevention, Shen pointed out the ongoing efforts to enhance cervical cancer screening services for women. To date, the free cervical cancer screening public health program has reached 2,765 counties and has conducted 280 million screening procedures, detecting 902,000 cases of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions, thereby promoting early diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, Shen mentioned the focus on tertiary prevention, which includes the standardization of clinical treatment protocols for cervical cancer and improving the transition from screening to treatment services. The health insurance system now covers cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment under basic medical insurance and critical illness insurance, enhancing reimbursement rates to lessen the financial burden on patients. Furthermore, health departments are collaborating closely with women’s federations to provide medical assistance to 275,000 economically disadvantaged cervical cancer patients.
According to spokesperson Hu Qiangqiang from the National Health Commission, in recent years, the Commission, alongside relevant agencies, has been systematically advancing cervical cancer prevention efforts. This includes guiding localities to improve their prevention and treatment service systems, enhance their comprehensive prevention capabilities, and fast-track the elimination of cervical cancer to safeguard women’s health. Currently, key maternal and child health indicators in China are among the highest in middle and high-income countries.
