Making genital schistosomiasis visible in health systems

Regional coordination and country pathways for scaled integration in the WHO African Region

Genital schistosomiasis (GS), including female and male genital schistosomiasis (FGS/MGS), remains one of the most under-recognized public health challenges in the WHO African Region—despite affecting an estimated 56 million women and girls and contributing to significant reproductive health complications, increased HIV risk, and links to cervical cancer.

On 22 April 2026, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa through ESPEN, convened a high-level regional webinar bringing together over 150 participants from more than 30 countries to advance the visibility of GS within health systems. The discussion marked a critical shift from vertical disease approaches toward integrated, system-wide solutions.

Participants emphasized that GS must be embedded within routine services—including sexual and reproductive health, HIV/STI programmes, cervical cancer screening, mental health, and primary health care. The webinar highlighted five key priorities: integration across health platforms, strengthened national coordination, deployment of practical diagnostic tools, inclusion of GS indicators in health information systems, and sustainable financing through domestic resource mobilization.

WHO Regional Office for Africa is supporting this agenda through a coordinated regional platform, including the Technical Advisory Group on GS (TAG-GS), development of tools and guidance, and strengthened country support.