06/07/2026
The vaccine works. The challenge lies in delivery."
That line from the recent article (https://lnkd.in/dBqtkddH), How to Give More Than a Vaccine, has stayed with us over the past few days.
Last week, our team along side stakeholder from the Ministry Of Health Malawi and Ministry of Education is in Nkhotakota District, Malawi, working alongside the District Health Management Team, the District Executive Committee, healthcare workers, education leaders, community leaders and youth representatives as we launch implementation activities for the Cancer Research UK (CRUK)-funded HPV EQUIP Project.
The article highlights lessons from Tanzania, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, showing that improving HPV vaccination is not simply about making vaccines available. Success depends on strong local partnerships, community trust, coordinated planning, and ensuring that no girl is left behind.
That is exactly the approach we are taking through the EQUIP Project.
Over the days, we listened, learned and planned together with local stakeholders to strengthen HPV vaccination delivery in Nkhotakota and Lilongwe. These discussions are helping us build a shared vision for reaching eligible girls including those who are out of school or living in hard-to-reach communities.
One lesson is becoming increasingly clear: cervical cancer elimination will not be achieved by health systems working alone. It requires genuine collaboration across the health sector, education, local government, community leadership, parents, young people and development partners.
We are encouraged by the commitment we have seen from everyone around the table. These partnerships are the foundation for sustainable change. Malawi's challenges are unique, but they are not isolated. As implementation evidence continues to emerge from across Africa, we have an opportunity to learn from one another, adapt what works, and collectively move closer to the WHO goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Thank you to the Nkhotakota District Health Management Team, the District Executive Committee, community leaders, education partners, youth representatives and all stakeholders for your commitment to improving the health of Malawi's girls.
The journey has begun, and we look forward to sharing what we learn along the way.
Dr Adriano Lubanga,Brenda Mhone (MPH), Dr Akim Bwanali, Dr Samuel Mpinganjira,DR MIKE CHISEMA, Tuweni Chumachapera, Watipaso Kamanga,Denis Banda,Mwai Noya,Maria Masiye