News Investigators/ The World Health Organization (WHO) has congratulated Barbados for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem and becoming the latest country recognised by for achieving the milestone.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced the achievement in a statement, congratulating Barbados for protecting a generation of children from HIV through sustained public health interventions.
He said the achievement demonstrated the impact of universal health coverage, including free healthcare services for pregnant women, regardless of nationality, while respecting their rights and privacy.
“Barbados now joins 26 countries and territories worldwide recognised by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or being on track to achieve it.
“Fifteen of the recognised countries and territories are in the Americas, making the region the global leader in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of these infections,” he said.
According to him, an independent assessment confirmed that Barbados met global targets for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, following sustained improvements in maternal healthcare services.
“According to the assessment, no new HIV infections resulting from mother-to-child transmission were reported among infants born in Barbados between 2022 and 2024.
“The assessment also showed that 98 per cent of pregnant women received antenatal care, 98 per cent underwent HIV testing, while 98 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral treatment,” he said.
According to him, the achievement to longstanding collaboration between the Barbados Government, PAHO, WHO and other partners to strengthen HIV services, surveillance and quality healthcare delivery.
“Barbados provides universal healthcare through public clinics and hospitals, with Queen Elizabeth Hospital accounting for approximately 93 per cent of births in the country.
“HIV testing and treatment are provided free to pregnant women, irrespective of nationality, while babies exposed to HIV receive early testing and follow-up care.
“The assessment also found that HIV testing was voluntary and confidential, with no evidence of coercive reproductive health practices involving women living with HIV,” he said.
According to him, maintaining the elimination status would require continued investment, updated guidelines, stronger health information systems and improved follow-up care for women and children.
He also recommended expanding integrated HIV and syphilis testing to sustain progress and strengthen maternal and child health services.
Also, Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and WHO Regional Director for the Americas, said the achievement demonstrated that quality healthcare without barriers could prevent HIV transmission.
He said the milestone meant children could be born free of HIV, while women living with the virus could access the treatment and care required to protect their health.
Barbados’ Minister of Health and Wellness, Ms Lisa Cummins, described the achievement as historic, saying it would enable children to live healthier lives and mothers to receive treatment during pregnancy.
She said the country’s success reflected its commitment to improving population health and joining other countries that had achieved the same public health milestone.
Welcoming the achievement, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr Robert Benes, said the milestone meant an HIV diagnosis during pregnancy no longer had to result in infection of the child.
He said it demonstrated that testing, treatment and care had reached women and families who needed them, preventing the transmission of HIV to newborns.
Similarly, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luisa Cabal, commended healthcare workers, people living with HIV, civil society and political leaders for supporting the achievement.
She said the certification reflected political commitment, technical and community leadership, and investment in integrated health services grounded in human rights and gender equality.
Cabal also commended PAHO for its leadership and acknowledged country and regional partners whose contributions had strengthened efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
“Barbados follows recent certifications in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos in 2026, Brazil in 2025, and Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024,” she said.
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