Implementing HPV testing in 9 Latin American countries: The laboratory perspective as observed in the ESTAMPA study

Abstract

<i>High readiness</i> of laboratories is an essential part of effective implementation of HPV testing. However, <i>high readiness</i> is insufficient to guarantee HPV testing <i>high continuity capacity</i>, for which a "culture of quality" should be established with regular training, robust monitoring and quality assurance systems tailored to local context. All efforts to strengthen HPV laboratories are valuable and crucial to guarantee effective implementation of HPV-based cervical screening.