A public health initiative aimed at cutting cervical cancer mortality is bringing free HPV screening to eligible women across Antigua and Barbuda, launched by the nation’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. As a core component of the country’s national cervical cancer prevention strategy, the program prioritizes expanding access to life-saving early detection services, with public health officials stressing that catching pre-cancerous or early-stage abnormal changes drastically improves patient outcomes.
The program extends eligibility to all women aged 30 to 65 who meet one of three criteria: they have never received an HPV test before, their last HPV screening was completed more than five years prior, or they have not undergone a full hysterectomy to remove the entire uterus. By targeting this age range and qualifying group, public health planners have aligned the program with global cervical cancer prevention guidelines that identify the population at highest risk of developing preventable cervical cancer.
To make access as convenient as possible for women across both islands, free screening services are available at 13 dedicated health facilities spread across Antigua and Barbuda. Participating locations include the All Saints Health Centre, Barbuda Health and Wellness Clinic, Bolans/Johnson’s Point Clinics, Browne’s Avenue Health Centre, Clare Hall Health Centre, Cobbs Cross Clinic, Glanvilles Polyclinic, Gray’s Farm Health Centre, Jennings Clinic, Liberta Clinic, Potters Clinic, Swetes Clinic, and Villa Polyclinic.
Each participating facility operates on a unique schedule tailored to local patient demand and staffing capacity. Some clinics offer the free screening services on a weekly basis, while others host screening sessions only on specific pre-designated days each month. Women seeking more information about local screening times or to book an appointment can contact program organizers by phone at 781-8256.
Ministry officials have issued a renewed call to action for all qualifying women to take advantage of this no-cost service. They emphasize that consistent routine screening is the single most critical intervention for preventing cervical cancer, as it allows healthcare providers to identify and treat pre-cancerous abnormalities before they progress into life-threatening full-blown cancer. Public health outreach teams are continuing to spread awareness of the program to ensure that no eligible woman misses out on this life-saving preventive care.