Barbados eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Geneva/ Washington, D.C./ Bridgetown, 30 October 2026 – Barbados has actually removed mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed, marking a significant public health turning point arising from years of continual efforts to guarantee infants are born without HIV.

“I praise Barbados on securing a generation of kids from HIV,” stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Barbados has actually revealed what universal health protection appears like in practice: complimentary services for every single pregnant lady, no matter citizenship, and care that appreciates her rights and personal privacy. With 15 nations and areas in the Americas now acknowledged, the area continues to reveal the world the method.”

Barbados now signs up with a group of 26 nations and areas around the world acknowledged by WHO for getting rid of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis or liver disease B, or for being on track to attain it. Fifteen remain in the Americas, making the area the worldwide leader in these accomplishments.

Accreditation by WHO follows an independent evaluation validating that Barbados satisfied the international targets on removal of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. From 2022 to 2024, no brand-new HIV infections arising from mother-to-child transmission were reported amongst babies born in Barbados.

“Barbados has actually revealed that removing mother-to-child transmission of HIV is possible when ladies and kids have access to quality health services without barriers,” stated Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO Regional Director for the Americas. “This accomplishment implies that kids are born devoid of HIV which females dealing with HIV can access the care and treatment they require. It is a happy minute for Barbados, the Caribbean, and the worldwide effort to end AIDS in kids.”

The evaluation discovered regularly high protection throughout the board: 98% of pregnant females got antenatal care, 98% were checked for HIV, and 98% of pregnant females coping with HIV got antiretroviral treatment throughout the three-year duration.

“This is amazing for us, and it permits us to be able to see our kids living their complete, finest lives. It permits moms to be able to have the advantage of treatment throughout pregnancy, before treatment, however likewise, it implies that we’re able to make sure that we have a much healthier population, and we’re able to sign up with the other nations around the world that have actually likewise similarly had the ability to attain this historical turning point,” stated Lisa Cummins, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados.

An enduring cooperation in between the Government of Barbados, PAHO/WHO and other partners to reinforce HIV services, monitoring and quality of care has actually made this accomplishment possible.

news International and local partners invite the accomplishment

Robert Benes, Regional Director of UNICEF, Latin America and the Caribbean: “The Elimination of vertical transmission of HIV implies that in Barbados, a diagnosis of HIV during pregnancy no longer has to mean transmission to a child. It means that testing, treatment and care have reached the women and families who need them.”

Luisa Cabal, Regional Director, UNAIDS Latin America and the Caribbean: “UNAIDS is delighted to share in the success of your work and leadership as healthcare workers, people living with HIV, civil society and the technical and political leaders who have helped ensure that every woman can receive the treatment and care they need so HIV is not passed on to their baby. We are overjoyed that Barbados has now been certified. This is a record that reflects political commitment, technical and community leadership and investment in integrated health services grounded in human rights and gender equality. UNAIDS commends PAHO for its leadership in the region and all partners at the country and regional levels who have been supporting these efforts.”

Editor’s note

Barbados supplies universal healthcare through public centers and medical facilities, with Queen Elizabeth Hospital accounting for about 93% of births. HIV screening and treatment are totally free for all pregnant ladies, despite citizenship, and HIV-exposed infants get early screening and follow-up care. HIV screening is voluntary and personal, and the WHO evaluation discovered no proof of coercive reproductive health practices including females coping with HIV. Civil society likewise supports access to care. To keep removal status, Barbados will require ongoing financial investment, upgraded standards, more powerful health info systems, broadened HIV-syphilis screening, and enhanced follow-up for ladies and kids. Barbados follows current accreditations in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (2026 ), Brazil (2025 ), and Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2024 ).