The first comprehensive national scheme in Africa is coming up in Rwanda as a cervical cancer vaccination program has been launched in Rwanda for girls aged 12 to 15 years old.

Every year cervical cancer claims around 275,000 lives and most of these deaths happen in countries that are developing. This number is rising with every passing year and by 2030 about 474,000 women are expected to die every year and about 95 per cent of all deaths happening will be in developing countries.

Rwanda is an example of impressive work being done although more work is needed as other places also have to be motivated to work in this area.

Rwanda is a small place and there are certain advantages it has over other sub-Saharan African states as various impressive steps have been taken by Rwanda with the help of village-based community health workers who also have mobile phones.

Rwanda's health minister, Dr Richard Sezibera, said, “Rwanda has 60,000 community health workers who help get individuals the care they need. They get women to the clinic for antenatal visits. We will work with them to make sure these girls get all the three shots they require.”