Religious leaders step in to bridge gaps in Cervical Cancer and Maternal Care in Africa

Religious and health leaders from across Africa have convened in Nairobi for the opening of the Faith in Action Health Conference, an unprecedented interfaith initiative aimed at accelerating the fight against maternal mortality and cervical cancer—two of the continent’s most urgent and preventable health challenges.

The two day conference organized by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), has drawn senior Catholic bishops, Muslim scholars, Hindu and Protestant leaders, Seventh-day Adventist representatives, and leading global health experts to chart a collaborative path forward.

“As shepherds of our communities, we must not only preach about dignity and life but we must protect it. This moment demands more than prayer; it demands action,” said Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi and the conference’s chief guest.

The Faith in Action Health Conference builds on the momentum of the 2024 Nairobi Convening on Faith and Science, shifting from dialogue to tangible, community-based interventions. At the heart of the agenda are strategies to expand HPV vaccination, maternal health services, and early cervical cancer screening especially in underserved communities where cultural and religious dynamics strongly influence healthseeking behavior. Faith leaders are now being called upon to play a transformative role in public health.

“Religious leaders have the trust of millions. That trust must now be used to save lives,” said Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI. “We are moving from pulpits to public health campaigns.” A Health Crisis Demanding Bold Partnerships Kenya reports 342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, while cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women, claiming over 3,500 lives annually.

Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, national uptake remains below 30 per cent, hindered by misinformation, stigma, and limited access.

With more than 90 per cent of Africa’s population identifying with a faith tradition (Pew Research Center, 2022), faith leaders are uniquely positioned to influence community attitudes and promote health education and early intervention.

“We have seen the harm that myths and stigma can cause,” said Dr. Hussein Iman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). “Faith leaders must be part of the solution—championing awareness, acceptance, and access.”

The conference features panels on faith-based health financing, interfaith collaboration for universal health coverage, and policy advocacy to integrate faithrun health institutions into national systems.

As part of its outcomes, the conference is expected to deliver concrete faith-based commitments supporting vaccination, screening, and maternal care. It will also deliver greater collaboration between religious and government health systems.

Furthermore, resource mobilization to strengthen faith-run healthcare infrastructure is crucial as well as interfaith partnerships focused on achieving universal health coverage (UHC)

The convening will be followed by the Faith in Action Medical Camp, scheduled for May 16–17, 2025, at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani, where over 1,000 underserved Nairobi residents are expected to receive free health services, including screenings, consultations, and health education.