Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention (CCSP) Project

Karuna Foundation Nepal, in collaboration with the Family Welfare Division and the Health Directorate, Koshi Province, has been implementing the Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention (CCSP) Project since 2017 with financial support from the Female Cancer Foundation, the Netherlands.

Initially launched in Ilam District and later expanded to Sunsari and Morang, the project aims to reduce the burden of cervical cancer through a comprehensive approach that combines community awareness, health system strengthening, and improved access to quality screening and treatment services. Key interventions include community mobilization, capacity building of healthcare providers and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), provision of essential equipment, screening through Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and HPV DNA testing, referral services, and treatment facilitation.

Aligned with the Government of Nepal’s commitment to the WHO Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, the project supports efforts to achieve the 90-70-90 targets:

• 90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15;
• 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by the ages of 35 and 45; and
• 90% of women identified with cervical disease receiving appropriate treatment and care.

Recognizing the effectiveness of HPV DNA testing as the preferred screening method, the Government of Nepal has initiated its phased introduction. Karuna Foundation Nepal supports this national initiative by strengthening HPV DNA testing services in selected municipalities of Sunsari and Morang while ensuring the continuity of VIA screening services where appropriate.

Currently, the project is being implemented in Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, Duhabi Municipality, Inaruwa Municipality, and Biratnagar Metropolitan City, while continuing to strengthen cervical cancer screening services through local health systems. Working closely with provincial and local governments, the project contributes to improving access to quality screening, early diagnosis, timely treatment, and ultimately reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality among women in Nepal.