Nairobi, Kenya – June 14,15, 2024 — The African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA) held a pivotal workshop in Nairobi on June 14 and 15, 2024, bringing together ACHA members, partners, and experts to address cervical cancer through a comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) platform and a sustainability plan.

The two-day workshop aimed to:

1. Validate and refine IEC Eeducational materials, ensuring they are accurate, culturally relevant, and effective in reaching diverse audiences
2. Develop strategies for enhanced awareness, bolster advocacy efforts and resource mobilization for prevention
3. Present the ACHA Scorecard, a tool designed to connect community services with policymakers, enhance civil society advocacy, and drive action towards cervical cancer elimination through evidence-based engagement.

The workshop featured presentations from experts on sustainability planning and member selection processes. It included group discussions that highlighted the importance of equity, inclusivity, and effective resource mobilization.

Participants provided feedback on IEC materials and proposed enhancements to the ACHA website to improve user experience and information accessibility. Dr. Robbinson Nduati led a session on the ACHA Scorecard, focusing on comprehensive assessments, strengthening advocacy, and empowering grassroots organizations to advocate for cervical cancer prevention and care.

Key Highlights for Enhancing Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiatives Discussed:

1. Strengthened Advocacy and Access:
   Advocating for increased government resources for screening services to improve access.
2. Resource Leveraging and Unified Advocacy:
   Partnering with like-minded organizations to leverage resources and foster a unified voice in advocacy.
3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
   Continuous training and sharing best practices among ACHA members to enhance expertise and operational strategies.
4. Inclusivity and Diversity:
   Ensuring equity and inclusivity in ACHA activities and engaging diverse groups in prevention efforts.
5. Focus on High-Risk Populations:
   Targeting high-risk groups, such as women with HIV, with specific prevention messages and services.
6. Integration of Services:
   Integrating cervical cancer screenings and HPV vaccinations into existing healthcare services to improve accessibility.
7. Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement:
   Developing a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan and identifying key national focal points.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation:
   Establishing robust systems for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the ACHA Scorecard and other initiatives.
9. Policy Engagement:
   Strengthening advocacy efforts to influence policy changes and collaborating with health ministries and WHO country offices to align national policies with ACHA’s goals

This workshop represents a significant step forward for ACHA’s mission to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality through collaborative efforts and enhanced educational outreach. The outcomes are expected to lead to more effective prevention strategies and greater resource mobilization in the fight against cervical cancer in Africa.

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