GENEVA, Nov. 1, CMC – The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Barbados for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem, following years of sustained efforts to protect newborns from the virus.
“I congratulate Barbados on protecting a generation of children from HIV,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“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.”
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Friday that Barbados 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 elimination.
Fifteen are in the Americas, including the Caribbean, making the region a global leader in these efforts.
PAHO said an independent assessment confirmed that Barbados met the international targets, with no new cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission reported among infants born on the island between 2022 and 2024.
During that period, 98 per cent of pregnant women received antenatal care, 98 per cent were tested for HIV, and 98 per cent of pregnant women living with the virus received antiretroviral treatment.
“Barbados has shown that eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV is possible when women and children have access to quality health services without barriers,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.
He described the certification as a significant achievement for Barbados, the Caribbean and global efforts to end AIDS in children.
Lisa Cummins, the Health and Wellness Minister in Barbados, welcomed the recognition, saying it would help ensure that children could live healthy lives while mothers received the treatment and support needed during pregnancy.
“This is incredible for us, and it allows us to be able to see our children living their full, best lives,” Cummins said.
PAHO attributed the achievement to sustained collaboration between the Barbados government and international partners to strengthen HIV services, disease surveillance and healthcare delivery.
UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Robert Benes, said the certification demonstrated that an HIV diagnosis during pregnancy no longer had to result in transmission to a child.
UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luisa Cabal, also welcomed the milestone, crediting healthcare workers, civil society, people living with HIV and government leaders for their contributions.
She said the achievement reflected political commitment, investment in integrated health services and a strong emphasis on human rights and gender equality.
Barbados joins several Caribbean countries and territories recently recognised for progress in eliminating mother-to-child transmission, including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands in 2026, and Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.
Brazil received certification in 2025.
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