On 21 April 2025, Mongolia has officially launched its Cervical Cancer Elimination Programme, marking a milestone in protecting the health and future of its women and girls. The programme, supported by WHO, will accelerate the decade-long efforts of the government to ensure access and availability of services for prevention, early detection and management of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is both preventable and treatable, yet it continues to claim the lives of many women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Mongolia, it is the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. In 2022 alone, 361 new cases were diagnosed, and 156 women lost their lives to this disease. Without urgent action, estimates from WHO show that new cases in Mongolia could rise by 22.4% in 2030 and 77.6% by 2050.
The programme, launched under the leadership of Health Minister Dr. T. Munkhsaikhan with support from WHO, aims to reverse these trends. It builds on a decade of efforts initiated by the government since 2011.
“This is not only a health programme – it is part of Mongolia’s development policy,” said Minister of Health Dr. T. Munkhsaikhan. “If we want to reach our national goal of increasing life expectancy to 78 years by 2030 and 82 years by 2050, we must build a healthier society by scaling up vaccination, early detection and treatment using advanced technologies. This requires political will, leadership and joint action.”
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Leaders united against cervical cancer: Health officials, partners and stakeholders at the official launch of Mongolia’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Programme on 21 April 2025 in Ulaanbaatar. Photo credit: WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
Elimination is possible
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be eliminated. It is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus spread through sexual contact. While most infections clear through the immune system, some persist and can lead to cancer over time. Women living with HIV are especially vulnerable – they are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer, and social determinants such as poverty and gender inequity further increase the risk.
With the right tools, cervical cancer can be prevented and treated when detected early. HPV vaccination can protect young people before exposure to the virus. Regular screening can detect pre-cancerous changes early, and timely treatment can save lives.
To accelerate elimination, WHO’s Global Strategy sets three ambitious targets for 2030: vaccinate 90% of girls against HPV by age 15, screen 70% of women by ages 35 and 45, and treat 90% of women who are diagnosed with cervical disease. Meeting these global targets could save more than 62 million lives by 2120.
Mongolia’s new programme embraces this vision and sets out a clear roadmap to reach the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 through a life-course approach and evidence-based interventions:
- Vaccination The programme aims to achieve 90% coverage of HPV vaccination by improving the quality and reach of services, strengthening social mobilization and communication, and fostering innovation in delivery.
- Screening To meet the 70% screening target, Mongolia is introducing high-performance HPV DNA testing at ages 30 and 40, integrating services into the primary health care system.
- Treatment To ensure 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer receive the care they need, efforts include strengthening services in pathology, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative care, and building efficient referral pathways.
Mongolia’s comprehensive approach: from vaccination to treatment
HPV vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventing cervical cancer. When given before exposure to the virus, they offer long-lasting, safe and effective protection against cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. HPV vaccines are given to girls aged 9–14 years, before they become sexually active. Depending on their immune status, one to three doses may be required.
In Mongolia, an updated national immunization schedule for mandatory vaccines was approved by Government Resolution No. 472 in December 2023. The new schedule introduced a single-dose regimen for 11-year-old children of both sexes. The inclusion of boys in national programmes helps reduce the overall burden of HPV-related diseases and contributes to broader community protection.
The country introduced the HPV vaccine in August 2024 with GAVI, WHO and UNICEF, supporting the national roll-out. The programme targets 11-year-old girls and boys, with coverage reaching to around 39% as of this writing. It will continue in 2025. As a highly cost-effective public health measure, HPV vaccination reduces the need for expensive treatments and long-term care, easing the burden on health systems.
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Accelerating early detection: WHO hands over HPV DNA test kits to the Ministry of Health, supporting Mongolia’s efforts to strengthen cervical cancer screening and diagnosis. Photo credit: WHO / Jargalan Tsogt
While vaccination protects the next generation, screening is critical for adult women. In Mongolia, Pap smear tests are offered free of charge every three years to women aged 30–60. However, coverage remains low, estimated at 38% in 2024. Barriers include limited awareness, stigma, and difficulty accessing services in remote areas.
To address this gap, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, has launched HPV DNA testing - a more accurate and efficient method recommended by WHO. The new approach will focus on two lifetime tests for women at ages 30 and 40. In partnership with WHO, the government aims to test 56,000 eligible women by 2026.
Joint commitment
With strong political leadership, technical expertise, and the support of global partners, Mongolia is taking major steps towards eliminating cervical cancer.
Dr Socorro Escalante, WHO Representative to Mongolia, praised the government’s comprehensive cancer programme targeting the most prevalent cancers in the country, cervical cancer among them. She expressed commitment to the government’s effort to eliminate cervical cancer as an investment in the future of girls and women.
“With Mongolia’s comprehensive and systematic approach, making full use of the evidence-based interventions already available and the committed leadership of the government under Minister Dr. T. Munkhsaikhan, cervical cancer can become a disease of the past.”
Reinforcing this vision, the Minister called for unity and purpose. “Cancer is not only a medical issue – it is a responsibility shared by all members of society. With political courage, multisectoral cooperation, and the unwavering efforts of our health professionals and partners, we can eliminate cervical cancer by 2076. Together, let us act on our commitment – because no one should lose their life to a preventable disease.”