Joining forces to shift perspectives through public facing campaigns in Indonesia

Introduction

Cervical cancer has a distressingly high mortality rate in Indonesia. The Coalition, Koalisi Indonesia Cegah Kanker Serviks (KICKS – In English, the coalition for cervical cancer services), has undertaken educational campaigns and played a pivotal role in accelerating the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme.

Recognising the pressing need for action, KICKS was established in April 2017 by CSOs from various sectors, including the Indonesian Society of Gynaecologic Oncology, the Indonesian Cancer Foundation, and the Indonesian Cancer Information and Support Center Association (CISC). Since its inception, KICKS has actively pursued its mission to prevent cervical cancer in Indonesia.

Background

According to GLOBOCAN 2020, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer in Indonesia, with 36,633 new cases and 21,003 deaths related to cervical cancer. Tragically, this means that approximately 57 Indonesian women lose their lives to cervical cancer every day.

There is a law in Indonesia that guarantees the right to access accurate information, education, and counselling on reproductive health. However, discussing reproductive issues in Indonesia remains taboo, causing a lack of knowledge and delays in the diagnostic of  cervical cancer. Around 70% of patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage due to many barriers, such as taboos, myths, stigma, psychological problems, financial issues, health inequalities, as well as access to health facilities, linked to the need for accommodation and transportation.

KICKS’ cervical cancer prevention campaign aims to leverage data to raise awareness, enhance understanding, and promote action within the community. It also supports the implementation of national vaccination programmes to mitigate the impact of the disease.

Actions

KICKS is the first cervical cancer coalition in Indonesia that tirelessly conducts campaigns to elevate public consciousness, raise awareness, and mobilise collective efforts towards HPV vaccination. KICKS approach includes collaborations with brands, organising TV and radio talk shows, initiating public petitions and fundraising events, crafting social media content, and partnering with influencers and consumers.

Moreover, KICKS has collaborated with celebrities and Puteri Indonesia (Miss Indonesia) to act as Cervical Cancer Prevention Ambassadors. Leveraging their public influence, these figures play a crucial role in shifting community perspectives and behaviours. They have actively supported KICKS by educating the public about the importance of HPV vaccination, both through online and offline activities. For example, Sonia Fergina Citra, Puteri Indonesia 2018 and Cervical Cancer Prevention Ambassador received the HPV vaccine publicly and the story was covered by the media. In an Instagram post, she emphasised, "Increased awareness of cervical cancer can save lives through preventive measures like early HPV vaccination and pap smear screenings for married women."

Results

Since 2016, the HPV vaccine has been available for free as a pilot programme in the Jakarta province and several districts/cities. However, at the end of 2021, the Ministry of Health issued a decree for the national introduction of the HPV vaccine from 2022 to 2024 and the HPV immunisation programme for fifth and sixth-grade girls in elementary schools or equivalent levels across all provinces. In August 2023, the government of Indonesia launched a national scale-up of the HPV vaccine that will protect millions from cervical cancer. This achievement is also attributed to the contributions of all stakeholders, including KICKS, along with celebrities.

Learn more:

1. Indonesia GLOBOCAN 2020.
2. Direktorat Jenderal Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Penyakit, Kementerian Kesehatan RI, Satukan Kata dan Langkah, Februari 2023, Retrieved from http://p2p.kemkes.go.id/closethecaregap/
3. CISC internal data, January 2021
4. Minister of Health Decree Number HK.01.07/MENKES/6779/2021
5. Ramadhan, A. (2019, Juli 16). BKKBN: Deteksi Dini Kanker Serviks Baru 5 Persen https://www.antaranews.com/berita/959777/bkkbn-deteksi-dini-kanker-serviks-baru-5-persen
6. Fergina, Sonia. (2018, April 25). [https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh_BfNeBgX4/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
7. Minister of Health Decree Number HK.01.07/MENKES/6779/2021