FAITH LEADERS UNITE IN NAIROBI TO TACKLE MATERNAL AND CERVICAL CANCER CRISIS IN AFRICA.

BY NJOKI KARANJA. 

A historic interfaith health summit opened in Nairobi today as religious and health leaders from across Africa joined forces to combat the continent’s high rates of maternal mortality and cervical cancer.

Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, and Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI, during the launch of the Faith in Action Medical Conference — a collaborative initiative addressing Kenya’s urgent public health challenges, with a focus on cervical cancer and maternal and child health.

The Faith in Action Health Conference, convened by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), brings together Catholic bishops, Muslim scholars, Hindu and Protestant leaders, Seventh-day Adventist representatives, and global health experts. Their mission: to develop faith-driven strategies to expand access to HPV vaccination, maternal care, and cervical cancer screening—particularly in communities where religious voices hold deep influence.

“As shepherds of our communities, we must not only preach about dignity and life—we must protect it,” said Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, the conference’s chief guest. “This moment demands more than prayer; it demands action.”

Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI, speaking during the launch of the Faith in Action Medical Conference.

The two-day conference builds on last year’s Nairobi Convening on Faith and Science but shifts the focus from dialogue to on-the-ground implementation. Kenya continues to grapple with alarming maternal health statistics—342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—and cervical cancer remains the country’s leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, killing over 3,500 annually. Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, uptake remains under 30%, hindered by stigma, myths, and limited access.

“Religious leaders have the trust of millions. That trust must now be used to save lives,” said Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI. “We are moving from pulpits to public health campaigns.”

With over 90% of Africa’s population identifying with a faith tradition, organizers say the potential for religious leaders to reshape health behaviors is vast.

Faith leaders from diverse denominations during the launch of the Faith in Action Medical Conference — a collaborative initiative addressing Kenya’s urgent public health challenges, with a focus on cervical cancer and maternal and child health.

“We have seen the harm that myths and stigma can cause,” said Dr. Hussein Iman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). “Faith leaders must be part of the solution—championing awareness, acceptance, and access.”

Key themes at the conference include faith-based health financing, interfaith collaboration for universal health coverage (UHC), and policy reforms to integrate faith-run health institutions into national systems.

The event is expected to culminate in a series of actionable commitments, including joint health campaigns, funding mobilization for religious health facilities, and a roadmap for sustained interfaith partnerships in public health.

In a practical follow-up to the conference, a Faith in Action Medical Camp will be held on May 16–17 at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani. More than 1,000 underserved Nairobi residents are expected to benefit from free screenings, medical consultations, and health education.

The conference underscores a growing recognition that bold, cross-sectoral partnerships—rooted in both science and spirituality—are essential to advancing Africa’s health goals.