Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem marking a major public health milestone resulting from years of sustained efforts to ensure babies are born free of HIV.
“I congratulate Barbados on protecting a generation of children from HIV,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus adding, “Barbados has shown what universal health coverage looks like in practice. With 15 countries and territories in the Americas now recognized, the region continues to show the world the way.”
Barbados now joins a group of 26 countries and territories worldwide recognized by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or for being on track to achieve it. Fifteen are in the Americas, making the region the global leader in these achievements. the World Health Organization (WHO) announced,
Certification by WHO follows an independent assessment confirming that Barbados met the global targets on elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. From 2022 to 2024, no new HIV infections resulting from mother-to-child transmission were reported among infants born in Barbados.
The assessment found consistently high coverage across the board: 98% of pregnant women received antenatal care, 98% were tested for HIV, and 98% of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral treatment during the three-year period.
A long-standing collaboration between the Government of Barbados, PAHO/WHO and other partners to strengthen HIV services, surveillance and quality of care has made this achievement possible.
