Interfaith leaders and medics from across Africa have launched an initiative aimed at accelerating the fight against maternal mortality and cervical cancer, two of the continent’s most urgent and preventable health challenges.
Organized by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), the two-day event, held in Nairobi Kenya, has drawn senior Catholic bishops, Muslim scholars, Hindu and Protestant leaders, Seventh-day Adventist representatives, and leading global health experts to chart a collaborative path forward.
“As shepherds of our communities, we must not only preach about dignity and life—we must protect it. This moment demands more than prayer; it demands action,” said Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi and the conference’s chief guest.
The Faith in Action Health Conference builds on the 2024 Nairobi Convening on Faith and Science momentum, shifting from dialogue to tangible, community-based interventions.
Some of the agenda items by the religious leaders are to expand HPV vaccination, maternal health services, and early cervical cancer screening, especially in underserved communities where cultural and religious dynamics strongly influence health-seeking behavior.
“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.”
According to research, Kenya alone reports 342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, while cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women, claiming over 3,500 lives annually. Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, national uptake remains below 30%, hindered by misinformation, stigma, and limited access.
With more than 90% of Africa’s population identifying with a faith tradition (Pew Research Center, 2022), faith leaders have uniquely positioned themselves to influence community attitudes and promote health education and early intervention.
“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.”
The event features faith-based health financing, interfaith collaboration for universal health coverage, and policy advocacy to integrate faith-run health institutions into national systems.
The conference will be followed by the Faith in Action Medical Camp, scheduled for May 16–17, 2025, at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani, where over 1,000 underserved Nairobi residents are expected to attend and receive free health services, including screenings, consultations, and health education.
