Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 9 February 2026 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supported Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in strengthening national colposcopy capacity through a four-day training held from 3 – 6 February 2026, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.
The training marks an important step in building a stronger and more complete cervical cancer prevention and care system in the country, aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) 90–70–90 elimination targets. Implemented with PAHO’s technical support, the training was delivered by Dr Matthew Schlumbrecht and Dr Patricia Jeudin from the University of Miami, a PAHO Collaborating Centre, reflecting the value of regional and international collaboration in advancing women’s health.
This activity builds on earlier capacity-strengthening efforts supported by PAHO. In December 2025, national training on Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Thermal Ablation was conducted to strengthen same-day screen-and-treat services at the primary care level. Together, these sequential trainings form part of the country’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Program, funded through the Unitaid grant, which is accelerating the introduction of Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic Acid (HPV DNA) testing as the primary screening method under the regional Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative.
The colposcopy training focused on strengthening national capacity for the diagnosis and management of precancerous cervical lesions. Four medical doctors received hands-on training in colposcopy, while an additional five clinicians, including family nurse practitioners and medical doctors, participated as observers and were identified as candidates for future training. This approach supports sustainable capacity development and the gradual expansion of services across the health system.
The training was closely linked to service delivery. Over the four-day period, 71 women were screened after being referred from Calliaqua, Georgetown, Pembroke, and Marriaqua, the four pilot health districts participating in the national HPV screening program. This ensured that women already engaged in screening services benefited directly from strengthened diagnostic capacity at the referral level.
By expanding access to colposcopy services, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is strengthening the full cervical cancer care continuum, from HPV screening and triage to timely diagnosis, treatment, and referral. This integrated approach is essential to reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality and to ensuring that women who screen positive receive appropriate follow-up care.
“This training is part of continued efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. It is a critical investment in national capacity,” said Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. “By strengthening colposcopy services and linking them to HPV screening, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is putting in place the systems needed to ensure women receive timely, high-quality care and to move steadily toward the elimination of cervical cancer.”
PAHO remains committed to supporting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as it scales up services nationwide, strengthens clinical capacity, and builds a resilient and integrated cervical cancer prevention and care system that delivers lasting impact for women and communities.
