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Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the latest countries in the Americas to be certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. The milestone was marked today at an event hosted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with support from UNICEF and UNAIDS and attended by the Ministers of Health of the three countries.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work and collaboration of governments, health professionals and communities over the years,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said at the event. Dr. Barbosa also praised the “extraordinary resilience” shown by the three countries in ensuring the adaptation and continuation of essential services despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am confident that today’s celebration will inspire other countries to renew their commitment” to achieving a generation free of HIV and congenital syphilis.
In 2010, countries in the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and adopted a regional strategy, which was updated in 2016 based on the Pan American Health Organization’s Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
To achieve elimination goals, countries are focusing on strengthening prevention and treatment services in primary health care and maternal and child health, updating guidelines to ensure effective screening of pregnant women, surveillance of cases, and follow-up of infants exposed to HIV and syphilis.
Globally, 19 countries and territories have now been certified as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, 11 of which are in the Americas. In 2015, Cuba made history by becoming the first country in the world to eliminate both HIV and syphilis. Subsequently, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved this goal in 2017, and Dominica in 2020.
“The end of AIDS provides an opportunity for today’s leaders to leave a unique and powerful legacy,” said Kristen Steglen, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Today, we celebrate another great milestone in public health, as Caribbean countries demonstrate global leadership in the HIV elimination agenda, leading to an HIV-free generation.”
New HIV infections among children in the Caribbean declined by 25% between 2010 and 2022. During that period, the number of cases reported annually dropped from 2,000 to 1,500. Congenital syphilis is currently reported at 36 per 100,000 births in the English-speaking Caribbean, below the target of no more than 50 per 100,000 births.
“UNICEF welcomes the commitment by Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to achieve dual elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis,” said Gary Corneille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are confident that this milestone will serve as a catalyst for other countries in the region to implement the EMTCT agenda to achieve the 2030 goal of leaving no child behind in the fight against AIDS,” Corneille added.
WHO awards this certification to countries that have reduced mother-to-child transmission of HIV to less than 5%, provided antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women, had fewer than 50 new cases of syphilis per 100,000 newborns, and had an HIV infection rate of less than 500 per 100,000 live births.
Elimination Initiative
this PAHO Elimination Initiative The goal is to eliminate more than 30 infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030, including mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
The initiative was relaunched during the Organization’s 60th anniversaryday The steering committee seeks to leverage lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as previous elimination experiences to accelerate disease elimination in the region.
Quotes from the Minister of Health
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize: “Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a tremendous achievement for the people and country of Belize. The journey to this monumental goal has not always been easy, however, through the dedication and enthusiasm of our healthcare workers in all areas of health, this goal has become a reality. We will continue to work towards our public health goals for a healthier, more productive Belize.”
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton: “Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a victory that underscores the importance of protecting the health of all. It is also an example of the extraordinary progress we have made in maternal health. More importantly, we must build on this achievement, particularly through continued community engagement and collaboration, to safeguard the public health benefits of all.”
Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health, Wellness and Environment of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: “I commend the dedication and commitment of healthcare workers to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) certification of dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. This achievement signals to the world that the end of HIV in children Prevention and control of congenital syphilis is achievable by eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. The Ministry of Health will continue its efforts to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030.”
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