Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic Opens to Improve Women’s Health

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 17 June 2026 – The Ministry of Health has opened its first-ever Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic. The new facility is located on the ground floor of the Health Credential Centre at Moto’otua.

In opening the facility, the Associate Minister of Health Motuopu’a Seve Henney Papali’i emphasized the clinic is part of the efforts by the Ministry to prevent and improve health services for women as cervical cancer primarily affects women.

The launch was made possible through a strong partnership between the Samoan Ministry of Health, the Kirby Institute of New South Wales, and funding from the Swire Group.

At the same time, Samoa introduced the Stay MALU (Mobilizing Advocacy for Lifesaving Upscreening) Campaign.

This Stay MALU national health initiative encourages women and girls aged 30 to 65 to get regular cervical cancer screenings.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus and usually develops when certain cells in the cervix grow abnormally.

The main cause of cervical cancer is a long-lasting infection with a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact.

Early detection through screening can save lives by finding and treating cancer early, before it becomes more serious.

Although the current services are based at Moto’otua, authorities plan to expand access by establishing clinics in district hospitals.

This expansion will make screening more accessible to women living across Upolu and Savai’i.

The ministry has already taken important steps to eliminate cervical cancer.

In 2021, the country introduced the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine to protect young girls from future infections that could lead to cancer.

The new screening program complements this effort by focusing on women aged 30 to 65, helping detect potential issues early.

Representatives from the Kirby Institute, development partners, health stakeholders, and Ministry of Health staff attended to show their support.

These organizations have come together to strengthen cervical cancer prevention programs and support women’s health across Samoa.