Women living with HIV are up to six times more likely to develop persistent precancerous lesions and progress to cervical cancer, often with a more aggressive form and higher mortality.

Launched in May 2018 to address this challenge, Go Further is an innovative public-private partnership between the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the George W. Bush Institute, UNAIDS, Merck, and Roche. The partnership collaborates closely with governments to strategize ways to provide services for women from prevention through the cancer journey. 

As of fiscal year 2022, Go Further provides services in 12 countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The objectives are to screen all women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy between the ages of 25 and 49 for cervical cancer and to treat pre-invasive cervical cancer lesions to prevent progression to cervical cancer.

Since the launch of the partnership, Go Further has conducted over 7.2 million screenings, 5.4 million of which were first-time screenings, and over 298,000 treatments of precancerous lesions. Hannah Johnson, Program Manager, Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute will utilize this time to discuss the intersectionality of HPV, HIV, and cervical cancer; Go Further’s framework for cervical cancer screening and treatment; and integrated service provision in sub-Saharan Africa.