TODAY, November 17, in solidarity with the World Health Organization’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, leaders from science, medicine, government, civil society, and innovation convened for a landmark gathering entitled:
AI Against Cervical Cancer: A Call to Action to Build the FIRST Philippine Cervical Image Bank and Expand Access to Affordable HPV-DNA Testing
Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST–ASTI) in partnership with the End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc. (CerviQ–ECCPOI), the event marked one of the country’s strongest multi-sectoral commitments toward eliminating cervical cancer — the only cancer in the world proven to be almost entirely preventable.
The session brought together an unprecedented network of experts:
- Gynecologic oncologists / Colposcopists from University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and national medical societies – Philippine Society of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology,
- Researchers from National Institute of Health and,
- Leaders from the Department of Health, the National Innovation Council, Philippine Cancer Center,
- Civic Society Groups – Rotary International, United Nations Association of the Philippines, Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines,
- Women’s groups – Philippine Muslim Women Council, Empowered Women PH,
- Laboratory partners for HPV-DNA testing and distribution – Atila Biosystem, AALJ Medical Supplies, Tropical Disease Foundation, M Diagnostics powered by Mirxes Singapore, and local government units.
Their shared mission: to unlock early detection for every Filipina through science, innovation, and inclusive collaboration.
Why This Event Matters
Cervical cancer in the Philippines kills 12 Filipinas every day, despite being preventable through timely screening and HPV vaccination. Yet national screening coverage remains at only 1%, leaving millions of women unprotected.
The November 17 gathering directly responds to the WHO’s 90–70–90 elimination targets by focusing on transforming screening, especially in unserved and underserved communities.
This milestone event showcased three major pillars of the Philippines’ emerging strategy:
- A Locally Innovated Speculoscope for Digital Cervical Screening
Portable, affordable, and designed for use in community settings in the hope to increase screening. - Affordable High-Risk HPV-DNA Testing
Introduced through new partnerships with global (Atila Biosystem) and Philippine laboratories. - Development of the FIRST Philippine Cervical Image Bank
A national dataset of Filipino cervix images to train AI-powered triage and diagnostic support tools—the first of its kind in Philippine healthcare.
Together, these innovations aim to make cervical cancer screening accurate, accessible, and within reach for women in every barangay.
Goals and Objectives of the Event
The November 17 program was designed to:
1. Present Philippine-made innovations – including the speculoscope, new molecular assays, and DOST-ASTI’s AI development track.
2. Engage multi-sectoral partners —academia, government, medical societies, LGUs, laboratories, and civil society—to build a unified pathway toward elimination.
3. Gather expert insights through panel discussions and sector-based breakouts on policy, research, clinical practice, and community mobilization.
4. Identify barriers and opportunities for scaling cervical screening, especially in resource-limited settings.
5. Launch a national collaborative movement to build and contribute to the Philippine Cervical Image Bank—central to training an accurate, ethical, and Filipino-context AI.
6. Strengthen commitments to prevention, early detection, and equitable access in alignment with DOH, NICCA, PhilHealth, and LGU priorities.
A Philippine Contribution to the Global Elimination Movement
By holding this event on the World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, the Philippines positions itself as:
- A growing leader in harnessing AI for women’s health
- A champion for prevention over treatmen
- A country committed to WHO’s elimination goals
- A nation working to end a disease that has taken generations of Filipina mothers, sisters, and daughters
The November 17 gathering is more than a conference — it is the beginning of a national movement. A movement that unites science and compassion, data and dignity, innovation and community.
It signals the Philippines’ commitment to a future where no woman dies from a preventable cancer — a future powered by collaboration, technology, and unwavering dedication to women’s health.
