Residents of Antigua and Barbuda now have ongoing access to no-cost human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings at public health clinics and community health centers across both islands, launched by the country’s Ministry of Health and the Environment in a public push to encourage widespread participation among at-risk women.
In a public advisory released earlier this week, health officials clarified that the free screening services are not limited to temporary special outreach events, contrary to common public misunderstanding. Instead, regular, scheduled screening slots are available at facilities across the nation on a recurring basis, designed to make early detection accessible for all eligible women.
The ministry’s core message to the public is straightforward but urgent: prioritize getting tested early, as catching HPV-related abnormalities before they progress can drastically improve health outcomes and prevent cervical cancer deaths. “Take advantage of the service and get screened early. Early detection saves lives!” the advisory emphasized.
Specific screening schedules vary by facility to accommodate different community needs. The All Saints Health Centre opens its screening services every Thursday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., while the Barbuda Health and Wellness Clinic offers daily screenings for residents on the sister island. Clare Hall Health Centre provides testing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and shortens its window to 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. For those seeking testing at Jennings Clinic, slots are available every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Glanvilles Polyclinic hosts screenings every Wednesday and Thursday between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
A number of additional regional facilities, including Liberta Clinic, Potters Clinic, Cobbs Cross Clinic and Villa Polyclinic, host screenings on pre-designated days each month for local communities.
Health authorities targeted the program specifically to women between the ages of 30 and 65, with a particular focus on two high-priority groups: women who have never completed an HPV test, and those whose most recent screening took place more than five years ago.
To streamline access, eligible women can book appointments through multiple convenient channels: directly through the front desk of any participating clinic, via online registration portals, or by reaching out to the national Cervical Cancer Elimination Unit for assistance.
From a public health perspective, the ongoing free screening program is a key part of Antigua and Barbuda’s broader strategy to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality across the country. The Ministry of Health and the Environment has repeatedly reiterated that early detection of HPV, the primary cause of most cervical cancer cases, is the single most effective step to reduce individual and population-level risk of the disease.