AFJOG

COVID-19 epidemic which required urgent automated testing of large specimen numbers. In addition, automated communication of results were developed - it is imperative that this effective tool be utilised to assist women to get their results without delay and further cost. It is the only way to limit wasting of “health dollars” on expensive tests which never reach their target audience and never results in preventive treatment. On the clinical side, integrated service delivery models leveragingHIV care infrastructure and systems, can enhance uptake and sustainability. All health care structures needs to effectively manage both high risk and intermediate risk results: By ensuring closer follow-up for all screen- positive women who tested negative on cytology, and by ensuring immediate treatment for high-risk women who were screen-positive and had a positive triage cytology test. Robust training for healthcare providers and public awareness campaigns also remain imperative to ensure programmatic effectiveness. Investment in healthcare infrastructure is essential and urgent to meet the demand of patients who will require diagnostic investigations such as colposcopy, biopsy, ablative treatment, and excisional treatment such as large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Renewed energy to control cervical cancer is brought by the transition to HPV-testing and the changes required for this new approach, which opens the door for other innovations. Promising innovations like self-collected HPV sampling could increase accessibility and uptake, particularly in rural and underserved areas. CONCLUSION South Africa’s adoption of primary HPV screening signals a important advance in public health practice. Aligned with the WHO’s elimination agenda and supported by local policy frameworks and empirical evidence, this transition has the potential to reduce the incidence and inequity of cervical cancer. To fully realize this potential, the country must ensure strong implementation systems with effective triage, follow-up, and treatment, especially among HPW. This policy shift should serve as the foundation for a comprehensive, equitable cervical cancer control strategy that includes vaccination, screening, and treatment. REFERENCES EDITORIAL African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Volume 3 | Issue 3 | 2025 | 04