Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organisation, addressed global health issues on Thursday, revealing that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.

He highlighted that the disease caused an estimated 660,000 cases and 350,000 deaths annually.

Mr Ghebreyesus stressed that cervical cancer was one of the few cancers that could be prevented and treated if detected early, but most cases and deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries that lacked access to vaccines, screening, and treatment.

He further mentioned that many countries were currently raising awareness about cervical cancer this January.

He also highlighted WHO’s global initiative, launched in November 2020 and aimed at eliminating cervical cancer.

Mr Ghebreyesus  said, ”Since then, numerous countries have introduced vaccines to prevent the disease, and many are rolling out advanced diagnostics.”

Mr Ghebreyesus added that eliminating cervical cancer was achievable if all girls and women had access to vaccines, tests, and treatments. He also mentioned that cervical cancer prevention was part of WHO’s broader efforts to promote and protect maternal health.

Regarding H5 avian influenza, he reported that 66 cases were recorded globally in 2024, the highest since 2015, and two cases, including one death, have already been reported in 2025.

He stressed the importance of controlling the virus’s spread among animals to prevent human transmission. He urged countries to strengthen biosecurity measures and share viral samples with WHO’s global surveillance system.

(NAN)