Antigua and Barbuda to Eliminate Cervical Cancer By 2030

By 2030, Antigua and Barbuda Aims to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, Sir Molwyn Says

By 2030, Antigua and Barbuda aims to eliminate cervical cancer, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph told Parliament, as he outlined a major public-health target during his contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate.

Sir Molwyn Joseph, Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s North, said Antigua and Barbuda has been selected for a World Health Organization (WHO) pilot project focused on eliminating cervical cancer, describing the initiative as one that could make history.

“Antigua and Barbuda was chosen for a pilot project … to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030,” the minister told the House, adding that it would represent “the first cancer … eliminated in human history” .

He said the target is achievable because systems are already in place to detect and treat the disease early.

The government, he explained, has removed all costs associated with cervical cancer screening, making examinations and follow-up care free of charge to patients.

The minister said women can access the service through clinics across the country and described the screening process as seamless and efficient, urging women to take advantage of the programme.

He told Parliament that early detection has already saved lives and could prevent unnecessary suffering and death .

Sir Molwyn also pointed to the role of specialised local expertise in achieving the 2030 goal. He said an Antiguan doctor conducts monthly procedures at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre to prevent cancer from developing, with all surgeries provided at no cost to patients.

“So there’s no reason why this cannot be achieved,” he said, encouraging national support for the programme and calling on citizens to become advocates for women’s health .

He told MPs that cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the two leading causes of death in Antigua and Barbuda, with cervical cancer ranking among the top causes of cancer-related deaths among women. Eliminating the disease, he said, would mark a significant breakthrough in national health outcomes .

The health minister framed the initiative as part of a broader shift toward prevention-focused healthcare under the 2026 budget, arguing that reducing avoidable illness would ease pressure on the healthcare system and lower long-term costs.

He said the WHO-supported cervical cancer programme reflects the direction the country must take in public health, where early intervention and education are prioritised alongside treatment.

Sir Molwyn appealed directly to women across Antigua and Barbuda to participate in screening, saying the opportunity exists to protect lives and achieve a national milestone in public health by the end of the decade .

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