Barbados eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV, WHO announces
Key Points(5)
- Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem, becoming one of 15 countries and territories in the Americas to achieve the milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.
- The certification follows an independent assessment confirming that Barbados met global targets for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
- Between 2022 and 2024, the country recorded no new HIV infections resulting from mother-to-child transmission among infants born during the period.
- Barbados now joins 26 countries and territories worldwide recognized by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or for being on track to achieve elimination.
- The Americas account for 15 of those countries and territories, making the region the global leader in these public health achievements.
Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem, becoming one of 15 countries and territories in the Americas to achieve the milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.
The certification follows an independent assessment confirming that Barbados met global targets for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Between 2022 and 2024, the country recorded no new HIV infections resulting from mother-to-child transmission among infants born during the period.
Barbados now joins 26 countries and territories worldwide recognized by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or for being on track to achieve elimination.
The Americas account for 15 of those countries and territories, making the region the global leader in these public health achievements.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Barbados, highlighting its provision of free health services to pregnant women regardless of nationality.
“Barbados has shown what universal health coverage looks like in practice: free services for every pregnant woman, regardless of nationality, and care that respects her rights and privacy,” he said.
The assessment found consistently high coverage of maternal health services between 2022 and 2024. Some 98% of pregnant women received antenatal care, 98% were tested for HIV, and 98% of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral treatment.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director and WHO Regional Director for the Americas Jarbas Barbosa said the achievement demonstrated the importance of ensuring women and children have access to quality health services without barriers.
“This achievement means that children are born free of HIV and that women living with HIV can access the care and treatment they need. It is a proud moment for Barbados, the Caribbean, and the global effort to end AIDS in children,” he said.
Barbados Minister of Health and Wellness Lisa Cummins described the recognition as a significant milestone for the country, saying it would help ensure children can live healthy lives while mothers receive the treatment and support they need during pregnancy.
A longstanding collaboration between the Barbados government, PAHO/WHO and other partners to strengthen HIV services, disease surveillance and quality of care contributed to the achievement.
Barbados' certification adds to regional efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other preventable infections through expanded access to maternal health services, testing and treatment.
