In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supported a four-day colposcopy training from 3–6 February 2026 at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital to strengthen national capacity in cervical cancer prevention and care. The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s 90–70–90 elimination targets and reflects the importance of regional and international collaboration, with training delivered by experts from the University of Miami, a PAHO Collaborating Centre.
This effort builds on earlier PAHO-supported capacity-strengthening activities. In December 2025, national training on Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Thermal Ablation enhanced same-day screen-and-treat services at the primary care level. Together, these trainings form part of the country’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Program, funded through a Unitaid grant, which is accelerating the rollout of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing as the primary screening method under the regional Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative.
The colposcopy training focused on diagnosing and managing precancerous cervical lesions. Four medical doctors received hands-on colposcopy instruction, while five additional clinicians, including family nurse practitioners and doctors, observed as potential candidates for future training. This approach supports sustainable capacity development and gradual expansion of services across the health system.
During the four-day training, 71 women referred from Calliaqua, Georgetown, Pembroke, and Marriaqua pilot health districts were screened, ensuring that the enhanced diagnostic capacity immediately benefited women already participating in HPV screening services.
By expanding access to colposcopy, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is strengthening the full cervical cancer care continuum—from screening and triage to timely diagnosis, treatment, and referral. This integrated approach is essential for reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality and ensuring women who screen positive receive appropriate follow-up care.
Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, emphasized that the training represents a critical investment in national capacity and the country’s ongoing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. PAHO remains committed to supporting the nationwide scale-up of services, strengthening clinical capacity, and building a resilient and integrated cervical cancer prevention and care system to deliver lasting impact for women and communities.
