BVI Advances Cervical Cancer Elimination Talks
The Ministry of Health and Social Development, together with the Pan American Health Organization, convened local and regional stakeholders to review cervical cancer prevention and care in the Virgin Islands. The consultation will inform a National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy aligned with the World Health Organization’s global goal.
The Virgin Islands held a one-day consultation on a National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Development in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Government health officials, clinicians, public health professionals, civil society and community representatives, and regional partners took part in the meeting to review the current state of cervical cancer prevention and control in the territory and to identify priority actions and barriers across the full continuum of care.
Participants examined preventive measures such as human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, approaches to screening and diagnosis, treatment of precancerous lesions and invasive disease, and systems for patient tracking and follow-up. Discussions emphasised strengthening HPV vaccination coverage, expanding access to high-quality screening and diagnostic services, ensuring timely treatment, and improving continuity of care so patients do not fall through gaps between screening, referral and treatment.
PAHO said in a Facebook post that the consultation will inform development of a comprehensive National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy aligned with the World Health Organization’s global goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. For the BVI, that strategy will guide local policy, resource allocation and programme design to reduce the burden of a preventable cancer.
Stakeholders identified several common barriers likely to be addressed in the strategy: limited reach and uptake of HPV vaccination, inconsistent access to reliable screening (including HPV testing), delays in diagnosis or referral, shortages in treatment capacity for precancerous lesions and cancer, and weaknesses in patient tracking and health information systems.
Participants also noted the need for public education to address vaccine hesitancy and to encourage regular screening among eligible women. Developing and implementing a national plan will require coordination between primary care clinics, hospitals, the Ministry, and community groups, as well as investment in workforce training, diagnostic equipment and data systems to monitor coverage and outcomes.
Residents are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about HPV vaccination and recommended cervical screening schedules and to follow up promptly on abnormal results. The consultation marks a step toward a territory-wide effort to prevent cervical cancer and improve outcomes for women and girls in the Virgin Islands.
The Ministry and PAHO will use the meeting’s findings to draft the national strategy and outline next steps for implementation and community engagement.
Primary source: VINO