Cervical cancer is worldwide a leading cause of cancer death in women, especially in low- to middle-income countries. The disease strikes women up from the young age of 30, thus affecting also their children and husbands, communities and societies. Save my Mother Gambia is a successful multi-stakeholder partnership aiming at the eradication of cervical cancer. The first phase demonstrated that cervical cancer can be reduced while using the cost-extensive See & Treat single visit approach (VIA + Cryotherapy) in screening campaigns. The second phase is geared towards sustainability and upscaling; realised in collaboration with the Gambian Ministry of Public Health.

A repeating vaccination and screening campaign with national coverage has been foreseen. This must include all women and girls, with specific attention for those living in remote areas. For women who suffer from the disease, high quality palliative care services should become available, accessible, and affordable. In achieving this goal, the government of Gambia will be supported by SOS CV Gambia. SOS CV Gambia, in collaboration with the Cervical Cancer Foundation (CCF), will share its experiences gained during the pilot programme Save my Mother Phase I (2012 - 2014). In this three year programme, women living in the catchment area of SOSs Mother and Child Clinic were offered free cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions, using the See & Treat single visit approach (VIA and Cryotherapy). This method has been proven to be simple, effective, and best applicable in low income countries, as was also confirmed by the external evaluation (2015).

1. Policy and decision makers and opinion leaders will be informed about cervical cancer and convinced of the urgency to take action and mobilise funding. A national action plan/road map on reproductive and sexual health issues should be developed by the GoG, to which SOS CV The Gambia will provide its input. 2. Public health officers working in at least 10 health facilities are trained, equipped (e.g. with cryoguns), and monitored to deliver cervical cancer prevention and palliative services in The Gambia. 3. Other public services are informed and mobilised to organise repeating national screening campaigns. 4. The general public is made aware of reproductive and sexual health issues and rights, and more specifically of the importance of cervical cancer prevention, and the services that have been put in place.

The programme will be implemented by SOS CV The Gambia, in partnership with the Cervical Cancer Foundation and Janssens Pharmaceutical Companies. Collaboration with other stakeholders, notably the Government of The Gambia, the Ministry of Health, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are a prerequisite for the success of the programme. As the Government of Gambia is very motivated to eradicate cervical cancer, the role of SOS CV The Gambia - in advise and capacity building- is much rewarded. Each of the actors in this multi-stakeholder partnership bring their area of expertise and potential around one single goal.

SOS Children's Villages, The Gambia Female Cancer Foundation Janssens Pharmaceutical Companies (J&J) SOS Children's Villages, The Netherlands Ministry of Health The Gambia: Reproductive and Child Health Unit Main Teaching Hospital United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)