Beyond Borders: Malawian Women’s Struggle Against Cervical Cancer

On an October morning in Nairobi, Chimwemwe Chiduleni stepped off a bus clutching a plastic bag filled with medical documents, a change of clothes, and the hope of survival. Two years earlier, she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in Malawi, a country that, at the time, had no radiotherapy facilities. For Chimwemwe and many other Malawian women, the only chance of treatment lay hundreds of kilometers away, across borders, in Kenya.

Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases for women in Africa, despite being preventable and treatable when detected early. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malawi has the highest cervical cancer rate in the world, with an estimated 72 new cases per 100,000 women each year—nearly four times the global average. The disease is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Malawian women. Limited access to screening programs, late diagnosis, and the absence of radiotherapy services have forced many patients to seek care abroad.

Kenya, by contrast, has steadily positioned itself as a regional hub for cancer treatment. Facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi and private cancer centres in the city offer both chemotherapy and radiotherapy—services still scarce in many neighboring countries. Data from Kenya’s Ministry of Health shows that patients from Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and even as far as South Sudan regularly seek treatment there.

For women like Chimwemwe, the journey is physically and financially demanding. Families often sell land, livestock, or other assets to cover the cost of travel, accommodation, and treatment. Yet many still make the sacrifice, driven by the lack of alternatives at home.

Malawi’s government has since acknowledged the crisis. In 2022, the country commissioned its first-ever radiotherapy centre in Lilongwe, with support from development partners. While this marks a significant step forward, the demand for treatment still outweighs capacity, meaning cross-border “healing pilgrimages” remain a lifeline for many.

Cervical cancer is largely caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), and prevention through HPV vaccination and regular screening has proven highly effective. Malawi began rolling out free HPV vaccines for adolescent girls in 2019 with WHO’s support, a move expected to reduce future cervical cancer cases drastically. However, it will take years before the benefits are fully seen.

For now, stories like Chimwemwe’s reflect both the resilience of African women and the urgent need for stronger health systems. Until cancer care becomes widely available in every country, patients will continue to travel across borders in search of hope—and a chance at life.

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