IARC 60th Anniversary - 19-21 May 2026
Session : 21/05/26 - Posters
Colposcopy Standards and Quality Assurance in Colposcopy Practice for LMICs with Low-Resource Settings
BHATLA N. 1, RAI R. 2, SHAMSUNDER S. 3, ZUTSHI V. 4, SINGH U. 5, SURI V. 6, KUMAR S. 7, NIGAM A. 8, SINGHAL S. 9, BHALERAO S. 10, CHAHAR R. 11
1 AIIMS, New Delhi, India; 2 Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, New Delhi, India; 3 VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, , New Delhi, India; 4 Metro Hospital and Cancer Institute, New Delhi, India; 5 KGMU, Lucknow, India; 6 PGIMER, Chandigarh, India; 7 Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research , New Delhi, India; 8 Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, , New Delhi, India; 9 AIIMS, New Delhi, India; 10 Bhatia, Saifee, Reliance HNH Hospitals, , Mumbai, India; 11 WHO , Timor Leste, Timor-Leste
Background: Cervical cancer constitute a major global burden of gynaecological cancers. WHO in 2020 had launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by the use of high precision HPV test. Being highly sensitive test, more HPV positive women will be referred for colposcopy which is an indispensable tool for diagnosing pre-invasive cervical lesions and plays pivotal role in cervical cancer prevention. Quality of colposcopy determines accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning. However, many of LMICs face constraints in infrastructure, trained personnel and standardized practices for colposcopy. There is a paucity of literature addressing quality-assured colposcopy standards tailored to low-resource settings. Objective: The objective of the study was to define the standards for colposcopy with quality assurance indicators for low-resource LMICs to reach the goal of cervical cancer elimination. Methods: An expert working group of colposcopists, gynaecologists and gynaecologic oncologists was constituted. The group formulated PICO framework and conducted a comprehensive review of existing guidelines and literature. Guidelines applicable to LMICs with low resources for providing colposcopy services in a standardized manner was formulated, discussed in face-to-face meetings, circulated among experts for feedback and opened for public comments. Relevant suggestions were incorporated in the document. The revised version was finalized. Results: Standards for setting up of a colposcopy clinic, staffing criteria, and standards for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are defined. Audit parameters were also defined for maintenance of the quality of colposcopy services. The various standards were further stratified into essential and desirable according to the requirement. Conclusion: These recommendations will provide a pragmatic framework for the delivery and maintenance of high-quality colposcopy services in low-resource LMIC settings. Their implementation is expected to enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize care, and contribute meaningfully to the global initiative for cervical cancer elimination.