ITPC-MENA launches a national study on barriers to accessing prevention and care

Rabat, 14 October 2026. The Association for Treatment Access (ITPC-MENA) brought together key national stakeholders involved in the fight against cervical cancer in Rabat on 8 October 2026 to launch a national study on barriers to accessing prevention, screening and treatment. The study aims to identify gaps in the continuum of care for women, from screening to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up and formulate targeted recommendations for relevant decision-makers. Its findings are expected in December 2026.

Fewer cases, but diagnoses still come too late

Morocco has made progress. According to the Greater Casablanca Cancer Registry, the crude incidence of cervical cancer fell from 12.8 per 100,000 women in 2004 to 6.6 during the 2018–2021 period. Cervical cancer consequently dropped from the second to the fourth most common cancer among women. The introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into the National Immunization Programme in 2022 and the expansion of organized screening are part of this progress, in line with the global elimination strategy adopted by the World Health Organization in 2020.

These advances should not overshadow the persistent challenges. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that more than 2,000 new cases of cervical cancer and approximately 1,000 deaths occur each year in Morocco. This represents nearly six women diagnosed every day and almost three women dying from the disease. According to the Greater Casablanca Cancer Registry, 38.7% of cases in the region are diagnosed at stages III and IV, when the chances of recovery have already diminished. Yet the region is among the best equipped in the country in terms of screening and care resources. According to data published by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, participation in the national organized screening programme stands at 9.2%.

A preventable and treatable cancer continues to be diagnosed at advanced stages.

Prevention is not enough if treatment does not follow

The study launched by ITPC-MENA focuses on the gap between existing services and women’s actual access to care. For each of the three areas – vaccination, screening and treatment – the study will document the products and practices actually used, their procurement channels and prices, the scope of public coverage, out-of-pocket household expenditure, and the available levers for action.

“ Screening a woman without being able to treat her does not protect her; it merely informs her. We want to document every stage of her care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, examining delays, interruptions, costs, what is reimbursed and what she must pay out of pocket. Real access to care depends on how well these different stages are connected. ”

Hiba El Khamal, Executive Director of ITPC-MENA

ITPC-MENA draws on its experience in HIV, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis to examine the factors shaping the price and availability of health products and identify practical avenues for action. In Morocco, it works in complementarity with stakeholders already engaged in the fight against cervical cancer, seeking to build on and strengthen their efforts.

What the discussions on 8 October revealed

The following findings were shared by participants during the meeting and will guide the study’s investigations.

—Vaccination: The obstacle is neither price nor availability. Doses are available, and some expire unused. The challenges lie in building acceptance among families and healthcare professionals, as well as developing awareness-raising messages tailored to the Moroccan context.

—HPV testing: The barrier is not technical. Visual inspection remains the basis of the national screening programme. A study conducted in Morocco and published in April 2026 demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of HPV testing, with participation exceeding 90%, using molecular biology platforms already established in the country.

—Women’s autonomy increases participation. Self-sampling reduces practical constraints and stigma. The experience of community-based HIV screening in Morocco was cited as a direct precedent.

—Access to quality care depends on where women live. The most advanced technical services are concentrated in a small number of facilities. The lack of reimbursement for complex, generally costly treatments remains a major challenge.

A three-part study, with findings expected in December

The study combines a documentary and regulatory review, interviews with national programmes, regulatory authorities, health coverage organizations, healthcare professionals, associations of patients, as well as an international benchmarking exercise.

A committee bringing together institutional representatives, clinical experts and civil society organizations will accompany the different stages of the study. The results will be presented and collectively validated before publication.

Organizations represented at the national meeting

Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Social Protection; Moroccan Family Planning Association; Association for the Fight Against AIDS; Moroccan Association of Supportive Care in Cancer; Association of Friends of Cancer Patients (Agadir); NABD Association; MENA Coalition for HPV Elimination; ITPC-MENA.

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Press contact

Mr. Othmane Marrakchi, Advocacy Officer, ITPC-MENA othmane.marrakchi@itpcmena.org · Tel.: 0623737536

www.itpcmena.org · linkedin.com/company/itpc-mena