Ministries of Health throughout the Caribbean have committed to improve cervical cancer prevention and control. The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) is an NCD alliance that works with national governments and cancer societies throughout the region.
In Belize and Jamaica, where the Ministries of Health provide cervical cancer screening in primary care centres, the HCC initiated projects with local NGOs on cervical cancer prevention amongst vulnerable, disadvantaged women. These initiatives were initially financed by the American Cancer Society Meet the Targets Grant and an Australian Direct Aid Programme. But following their success they have also received funding from UNESCO. This strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations in both countries, thereby extending the reach of public health services and improving access for the earlier detection of cervical cancer.
