UICC joins forces for cervical cancer elimination in the Indo-Pacific

EPICC is made possible by a USD 2.5 million regional aid grant from the Australian Government. The partnership leverages Australian, international and in-country partner expertise to accelerate the World Health Organisation’s strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer in the region. Led by the Daffodil Centre and funded as a four-year programme, EPICC will focus on the three pillars (immunisation, screening, treatment) of the WHO Global Strategy.

UICC, as part of EPICC, will provide expertise, networks, and tailored support to civil society through its Cancer Advocates programme. This collaboration aims to strengthen national advocacy for cervical cancer elimination, with a special focus on improving access to treatment and palliative care in the region.

"UICC is proud to be working in support of this pivotal investment to eliminate cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. We will build on the work delivered as part of the Unitaid-funded SUCCESS project since 2019, helping to ensure an active, equipped and engaged civil society in the region, which is critical to ensure long-term accountability and impact and sustainability of progress made towards elimination."

– Kirstie Graham, Director of Capacity Building, UICC

EPICC's programme design will be a joint effort with partner governments in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasising capacity building, sustainability, and equity. The goal is to save tens of thousands of lives in the short term and millions over the century.

Australia also released a new ten-year national cervical cancer strategy, stepping up efforts to become the first country worldwide to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue.

More information can be found here