Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 26 September 2025 (PAHO) - In a major step toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) led a week-long training mission in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines focused on the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and treatment.
The initiative strengthened national capacity for early detection and management of cervical precancerous lesions, a key component of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ cervical cancer elimination strategy. From September 22 to 26, healthcare professionals across the island received hands-on training in:
- Site readiness assessments at Georgetown, Levi Latham, Buccament, and Stubbs health clinics.
- HPV program training covering screening, patient education, and data collection, with role-play and anatomical model demonstrations.
- RedCap data management for accurate entry and monitoring, establishing a national framework for evaluation.
- Clinical equipment orientation on visual evaluation, thermal ablation, and colposcopy.
Each day, approximately 65 participants, nurses, physicians, community health workers, and laboratory personnel took part in the sessions, demonstrating strong commitment and enthusiasm for the program.
Local context: Cervical cancer in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Vincentian women, representing 12.7% of all cancers in 2023. Between 2020 and 2024, 44 women lost their lives to the disease. Prevalence data show significant challenges: a 2015 PAHO-supported study found 30% of women aged 30–65 carried high-risk HPV types, while HPV vaccination uptake remains low, with just 1% of girls and boys aged 9–14 vaccinated as of 2024.
Voices from the field
“Our ministry is committed to empowering all women in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to live free of the scourge of cervical cancer. Through strong prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies, we aim to ensure that by 2030, 90% of girls are immunised against HPV by age 15.”
— Dr Simone Keizer-Beache, Chief Medical Officer
“This training has empowered us to take cervical cancer prevention to the next level. The hands-on sessions and practical tools will make a real difference in our clinics.”
— Sister Laura Alfred, Nurse, Levi Latham Polyclinic
“Understanding the natural history of HPV and how to use the RedCap system has given me confidence in managing patient data and improving follow-up care.”
— Dr Naomi Jack, Medical Practitioner
“The role-play and educational materials were especially helpful. I now feel better equipped to talk to women in my community about cervical cancer prevention.”
— Community Health Worker, Buccament Polyclinic
“This mission was not just about training; it was about building a sustainable system for screening and treatment. We’re proud to be part of this transformation.”
— Dr Mauricio Maza, PAHO Regional Advisor
“This initiative is a bold step toward saving lives. By bringing HPV testing, vaccination, and treatment to women across SVG, we are laying the foundation for a healthier future.”
— Dr Damaris Baptiste, Cervical Cancer Taskforce Lead, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Impact and next steps
With the official program launched on 24 September 2025, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is now ready to begin national screening. Starting 6 October 2025, eight health facilities will initiate HPV testing with laboratory capacity and trained personnel in place.
Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, congratulated Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the launch of the initiative, reaffirming PAHO’s continued support. “PAHO is committed to supporting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in this important effort. The health and well-being of our women remain a top priority,” she stated. "The mission positions the country to detect cervical cancer earlier and more accurately, improve patient outcomes through timely interventions, empower healthcare workers with evidence-based practices, strengthen national surveillance and data systems, and foster community engagement in prevention and awareness."
Partners in action
This milestone was made possible through the leadership and expertise of PAHO’s team, Dr Taraleen Malcolm, Dr Mauricio Maza, and Dr Sara Benitez, with technical partners Basic Health International (BHI), Dr Karla Alfaro and Rene Novoa, and the University of Miami, Corinne Ferrari and Cynthia Beaver. PAHO commends the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the dedicated health workforce, and partners, especially Unitaid, under whose funding this initiative is being implemented.
