Over 80% of cervical cancer incidence and deaths from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). The COVID-19 pandemic led to the disruption of health services, including cervical screening provision, in many countries. This webinar offered an opportunity for the screening community to learn about, and reflect on, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening.

A keynote presentation from Dr. Partha Basu, Deputy Head of the Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), provided a high-level overview of global issues and the possible impact on achieving WHO cervical cancer elimination goals, as well as lessons learned on the ground. The program followed with presentations reporting on local programmes and adaptations to COVID-19 by Jane Matambo, manager of cancer screening services at the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Dr. Muluken Gizaw, Assistant Professor from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, and Dr. Karla Alfaro, Medical Director at Basic Health International in El Salvador.