The Rotary Foundation Awards Egypt 2022-23 Programs of Scale Funding

CAIRO, Egypt.

‘United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt’ is Rotary’s third Programs of Scale award recipient – an annual competitive grant process that awards $2 million to an evidence-based program that aligns with one of Rotary’s causes and has the capability for scaling up to help more people. The programs are sponsored by Rotary members in collaboration with local communities and partner organizations.

In Egypt, less than 10% of women have undergone cervical cancer screenings in the last five years, and of those diagnosed with cervical cancer, over half have died as a result.

A Rotary-led initiative, ‘United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt,’ aims to reduce cervical cancer cases and enhance women’s health in Egypt through targeted awareness-raising and improved access to preventative care.

“Rotary believes that every woman and girl should have access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live,’’ Rotary International President Jennifer Jones said. “With the ‘United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt’ initiative, we are taking a critical step towards making this a reality.’’

A large majority of cervical cancer is due to the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. It is considered one of the most preventable cancers, yet 90% of the deaths it causes, occur in low- and middle-income countries because routine HPV vaccinations and cervical cancer screenings aren’t available. Social and cultural misconceptions also affect women’s choices about seeking proper health measures and vaccination for HPV.

By providing vaccines to girls, regular screenings and timely treatment for women, the initiative strives to reduce the burden of this preventable disease and encourage communities to prioritize cervical health.

Initiated by the Rotary Club of El Tahrir, supported by Rotary clubs in Greater Cairo, and modelled after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s Egyptian Women’s Health Initiative on breast cancer, the program was awarded $2 million by The Rotary Foundation.

With the expertise and knowledge of key program partners, Rotary aims to vaccinate more than 30,000 girls ages 9-15 and provide screenings for 10,000 women in greater Cairo and launch a public awareness campaign to reach 4 million people. Healthcare workers, school administrators, and staff will receive training on HPV and cervical cancer to ensure proper care and counselling for women and girls.

“By increasing awareness and promoting preventive care for cervical cancer, we can save lives and create healthier communities in Egypt,” said Dr. Amal El-Sisi, Professor of Paediatrics, Cairo University and member of the Rotary Club of El Tahrir.

“As we gather data for the first time on the HPV and cervical cancer burden in the Greater Cairo area, we are gaining crucial insights into the overall prevalence in Egypt. Upscaling our efforts will enable us to reach more women and girls in Egypt and empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health,” Dr. El-Sis said.

‘United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt’ takes Rotary members’ commitment to prevent cervical cancer and improve women’s health to the next level by building a longer-term, multi-stakeholder partnership on the ground in Egypt with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, the Egyptian Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the NGO Sona3 el Khair Development Foundation, Cairo University’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, the World Health Organization in Egypt, and the National Cancer Institute.

“The Egyptian government is committed to improving women’s health, and we are pleased to work in partnership with Rotary clubs in Egypt to prevent cervical cancer in our country as part of the new presidential initiative for early cancer detection,” said Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population. “By working together, we can achieve our shared goal of creating a healthier and more equitable society for all Egyptians. This partnership is a testament of how collaboration and innovation can have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our communities”.

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.