Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis – PAHO/WHO

Kingston, Jamaica, May 7, 2024 – Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the latest countries in the Americas to receive certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (ETMIT). The milestone was marked today at a commemorative event organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with the support of UNICEF and UNAIDS and with the participation of health ministers from the three countries.

“This achievement is a testament to years of dedication, hard work and collaboration between governments, health professionals and communities,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said at the event. Dr. Barbosa also recognized the “remarkable resilience” shown by the three countries, ensuring the adaptation and continuity of essential services despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I trust that today’s celebration will inspire other countries to revitalize their commitments” toward a generation free of HIV and congenital syphilis.

In 2010, the countries of the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and supported the regional strategy, which was updated in 2016 within the framework of the PAHO Plan of Action for the prevention and control of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. .

To achieve elimination goals, countries focused on strengthening prevention and treatment services within primary health care and maternal and child health, updating guidelines, ensuring effective screening of pregnant women, monitoring cases, and doing monitoring babies exposed to HIV and syphilis.

In a video message, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Belize for integrating disease prevention and primary treatment into maternal and child health services. He also praised Jamaica for its civil society organizations’ commitment to human rights and commended Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for investing in strong national laboratory structures. «While validation is a tremendous achievement, maintaining it requires sustained efforts to prevent new infections,» he said. «WHO and its partners will continue to support all countries in the Americas to strengthen health systems, provide comprehensive services and ensure the participation of women in the planning and delivery of services.»

Globally, 19 countries and territories have been certified to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, 11 of them located in the Americas. In 2015, Cuba made history by becoming the first country in the world to achieve double elimination of HIV and syphilis. They were followed by Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis in 2017, and Dominica in 2020.

“The end of AIDS is an opportunity to leave an exceptionally powerful legacy for today’s leaders. Today we once again celebrate a major public health milestone as Caribbean countries show global leadership on the elimination agenda to achieve an HIV-free generation,” said Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS.

New HIV infections among children in the Caribbean decreased by 25% between 2010 and 2022. During that period, cases reported annually decreased from 2,000 to 1,500. Reported cases of congenital syphilis in the English-speaking Caribbean now stand at 36 cases per 100,000 newborns, below the target of no more than 50 cases per 100,000 newborns.

«UNICEF welcomes the commitment of Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to achieve double elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis,» said Garry Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. «We are confident that this milestone will be a catalyst for other countries in the region to follow the agenda of eliminating mother-to-child transmission towards the 2030 goal: no child left behind in the progress to end AIDS,» added Conille.

The WHO grants this certification to countries that have reduced the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission below 5%; provided prenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women; reported fewer than 50 new cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 newborns and achieved an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100,000 live births.

Elimination initiative

The PAHO Elimination Initiative seeks to end more than 30 communicable diseases, including mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.

The initiative was relaunched during the 60th anniversary of the Organization.^th Board of Directors and 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 health ministers

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Welfare of Belize: “Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is an extremely significant achievement for the people and country of Belize. The activities that led to this momentous goal were not always easy, however, with the commitment and motivation of our health workers, in all areas of health, this has become a reality. “We continue to work to achieve public health goals for a healthier and more productive Belize.”

Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Welfare of Jamaica: “Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a victory that underscores the protection of everyone’s health. It is also an example of the extraordinary progress being made in our maternal health care. Furthermore, it is vitally important that we build on the gains made with this achievement, especially through continued community engagement and partnership for the benefit of public health for all.”

St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health, Wellness and Environment of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: “I commend the dedication and commitment of health workers to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) certification of the double elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. This achievement signals to the world that it is possible to end pediatric HIV and congenital syphilis by eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. “The Ministry will continue working to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”