PAHO and AECID Strengthen Health Cooperation, Focusing on Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Americas – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, February 21, 2025 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) have formalized a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their shared commitment to improve public health in the Americas. This agreement marks a decisive step in the fight against cervical cancer and other health challenges in the region.

The memorandum covers several cooperation areas aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with a key approach in the elimination of cervical cancer, a priority for both the PAHO and the Spanish Government. Each year, cervical cancer affirms the lives of approximately 40,000 women in the Americas. However, with the correct strategies for vaccination, detection and treatment, this cancer could be eliminated as a public health problem.

In a meeting with the Ambassador of Spain to the Organization of American States (OAS), Carmen Montón, director of Paho, Jarbas Barbosa, emphasized the importance of this collaboration for the region.

“The support of Spain in the fight against cervical cancer and in other areas of public health is essential to strengthen health systems. With AECID’s support, we can move towards the elimination of this cancer, which disproportionately affects women in the most vulnerable situations, «said Dr. Barbosa.

The signed agreement includes a voluntary contribution of 3.9 million euros to the PAHO, distributed in several work areas. These include: € 1.5 million to strengthen the technical capacity in the elimination of cervical cancer, € 500,000 for the initiative of emergency medical equipment (EMT) and € 400,000 to boost innovation and production of advanced therapies in Latin America and The Caribbean.

In addition, funds will be assigned to strengthen human resources at the level of primary care, improve health value and improve access to medical care for adolescents and survivors of sexual violence, among other initiatives.

Contributions, which will be distributed throughout 2026, represent a significant increase in Spanish support, further solidifying cooperation between the two partners.

Ambassador Montón highlighted his country’s commitment to improve global health, universal right to health and multilateralism: “This memorandum reflects Spain’s leadership in the fight against cervical cancer, a firm commitment that aligns with our policy exterior and feminist cooperation. Through this agreement, we reaffirm our will to contribute to the health of women in the Americas. «

Paho is leading efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in the Americas, aligning his actions with the 90-70-90 objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO). These point to 90% of girls completely vaccinated with the HPV vaccine at the age of 15; 70% of women were projected using high performance test at the age of 35 and 45, and 90% of women with cancer prior treatment and 90% of women with managed invasive cancer.

In the region, 48 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, although coverage varies widely. Few countries have reached 90%vaccination coverage, while others remain below 10%. Paho is working to close these gaps, ensuring access to safe and affordable vaccines and diagnostic tools through their regional rotating funds.