At the launch of the "Pink Fund" on Wednesday, March 25, 2026—a strategic initiative led by the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ)—the Director General of Health, Professor Ousmane Cissé, emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the response to women's cancers. These diseases are currently among the most frequent and deadly, according to the country's latest health statistics.

Faced with this worrying reality, dominated by the prevalence of cervical cancer, Professor Cissé presented a set of structural measures undertaken by the government to transform prevention and access to care.

Prevention and screening: the foundation of the new strategy

The government is prioritizing the strengthening of early detection. Programs are currently being deployed in several regions to identify cases at an early stage, when the chances of recovery are highest.

At the same time, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination is being intensified, particularly targeting young girls. This measure is now considered by health authorities to be one of the most effective ways to eventually eradicate cervical cancer.

Decentralization and accessibility of care

One of the key points of the Director General of Health's intervention concerns the expansion of therapeutic options. The government is working to progressively make chemotherapy and radiotherapy available in public healthcare facilities.

Particular emphasis is placed on decentralization: the goal is to bring specialized services closer to populations living outside Dakar in order to reduce territorial inequalities in access to the disease. This system is complemented by ongoing training for healthcare personnel and the creation of new centers dedicated to screening and treatment.

The Rose Fund is thus fully aligned with the national strategy to combat cancer. By reinforcing the impact of existing public policies, it aims to sustainably improve the care and quality of life of Senegalese women.