June 18 2026 LabCoP Extended ECHO Session: Breaking Silos: Leveraging HIV Infrastructure

Thursday, June 18, 2026 This ECHO Session focuses on leveraging HIV infrastructure for integrated cervical cancer screening in Tanzania. Sub-Saharan Africa faces the burden of both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer, and diabetes. This epidemiological transition continues to place additional strain on the already-challenged health systems in this region, particularly regarding access to early and timely diagnostics. On the other hand, high-throughput diagnostic platforms readily available in Africa to tackle the HIV/AIDS endemic offer a unique opportunity to integrate screening and diagnostic protocols across co-morbid disease profiles, including HPV DNA, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The link between HIV and cervical cancer is a clinical emergency: women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop the disease because a weakened immune system cannot effectively clear high-risk HPV. This synergy allows cancer to progress faster and strike at younger ages, making cervical cancer an AIDS-defining illness. Consequently, integrating HPV DNA screening into existing HIV diagnostic platforms is a life-saving necessity, ensuring that those most at risk are caught early within the same care loop. Tanzania has already successfully launched nationwide HPV DNA screening by leveraging existing HIV program infrastructure. In addition to the Tanzanian experience, UNITAID discussed the role of catalytic investments, partnerships, and implementation approaches in supporting sustainable access to integrated diagnostic services in Africa. Presenters: • Mr Peter Mkama, Senior Health Laboratory Scientist, Ministry of Health, Tanzania • Ms Smiljka de Lussigny, Program Manager, Diagnostics and Cervical Cancer, UNITAID