A team from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) recently visited Saint Lucia to review and provide support towards the national plan for accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health concern. This forms part of the efforts to strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organisation’s global strategy for cervical cancer elimination.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, public health practitioners and other key stakeholders got the opportunity to discuss and assess the progress Saint Lucia has made in the areas of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

PAHO Advisor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health Dr. Taraleen Malcolm says this meeting is extremely important and should be all-inclusive as it allows individuals to be part of the process of achieving elimination targets. “What we have seen to be effective in many countries is that when you have stakeholders involved from inception; when it gets to the point of operation, implementation, then that level of ownership is there. Therefore, it is most likely to be successful in its implementation.”

Dr. Taraleen Malcolm also reiterated the commitment of PAHO to provide technical support and guidance on strengthening the systems and improving access to screening and treatment for cervical cancer. “First is in terms of doing this assessment, being able to identify where the gaps are. Sometimes it is better when someone from the outside looking in on the program is able to see, probably this is an area that needs to be expanded or strengthened. The second is in terms of the technical support and guidance towards strengthening those areas. The third is in terms of equipment and supplies so if we find that as part of the assessment, that there is limitation in terms of the HPV test kits and the equipment to facilitate the screening or to even expand on treatment within primary care, then those are areas.”

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Glensford Joseph expressed appreciation to PAHO for the continued support and highlighted how this evaluation will play a part in the identification of gaps and strengthening of the systems to limit the impact of cervical cancer to the population. “It is very critical for us to note that cervical cancer is a non-communicable disease that is preventable and significantly impacting Saint Lucia. It is actually the third leading cause of cancer annually in Saint Lucia and when we look at some of the communities such as Canaries, Babonneau and Castries, it is of significant importance in its ranking for cancer causing among the population. This support provided by the Pan American Health Organisation is very timely as it is going to allow us to look at all the areas in our cervical cancer management from prevention and control, screening, treatment to ensure that we reduce the impact of cervical cancer, not only at the family level but also the community and nationally.”