Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Paragraph: 46
Incorporate gynaecological disease care and HPV vaccine provision into FCDO SRHR programming.
Recommendation
The FCDO has not sufficiently addressed the threat of gynaecological disease in its SRHR programming, despite the risk it poses to the SRH of women and girls. The prevalence of cervical cancer among women and girls in lower-income countries is also concerning, especially as adequate provision of the HPV vaccine could greatly reduce the threat of cervical cancer to women and girls. The FCDO should look to incorporate care of gynaecological disease, including so-called ‘benign’ gynaecological disease, into its SRHR programming. It should also continue to support the provision of the HPV vaccine to women and girls and look to align this with its SRHR programming where possible.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO agrees, detailing its existing support for HPV vaccine rollout through Gavi and market shaping for cervical cancer screening via Unitaid. It also confirms the forthcoming WISH Dividend program will include treatment of benign gynaecological disease where feasible, and commits to continuously reviewing information to influence its work.
Paragraph Reference:
46
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree 39. The FCDO acknowledges the severe morbidity women face from gynaecological conditions and the distress these conditions can cause. 40. The FCDO’s programmes in this area include support for the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer through the global vaccine alliance (Gavi); market shaping for cervical cancer screening, prevention and treatment through UNITAID, and through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) the FCDO is supporting the procurement and delivery of reproductive health commodities such as hormonal contraceptives, which are also used to treat gynaecological diseases. 41. As a major donor to Gavi, the FCDO was a vocal advocate for the inclusion of HPV in their portfolio of vaccines and the subsequent revitalisation of the HPV programme with an ambitious target to reach around 86 million girls with the HPV vaccine by 2025. As of November 2023, 37 countries have introduced HPV to their routine immunisation programmes. 42. As a key partner of Unitaid, the FCDO helps drive progress towards the elimination of cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Unitaid is increasing the availability of self-screening tools for HPV, pushing for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B, as well as driving the uptake of emerging diagnostics for gonorrhoea and chlamydia to improve case management and increase STI surveillance. Unitaid is now the largest funder of innovative tools to find and treat pre-cancerous lesions in women living in low-resource settings. 43. The terms of reference for implementing partners for the forthcoming WISH Dividend (Women’s Integrated Sexual Health) regional programme includes the treatment of benign gynaecological disease as part of service delivery support in priority countries where feasible. 44. The FCDO works hard to integrate the latest research and evidence into our programming and into our engagement with partner governments. We will continue to review the latest information on benign gynaecological disease to influence our work.