GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) — Barbados has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem, following years of efforts to prevent infants from contracting the virus.

“I congratulate Barbados on protecting a generation of children from HIV,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He said the achievement demonstrated the impact of universal health coverage, highlighting Barbados’ provision of free healthcare services to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality, while respecting their rights and privacy.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced on Friday that Barbados had joined 26 countries and territories worldwide recognised by the WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or being on track to achieve elimination.

Fifteen of those countries and territories are in the Americas, including the Caribbean, making the region a global leader in efforts to prevent the transmission of these diseases from mothers to their children.

An independent assessment confirmed that Barbados had met the international elimination targets, with no new cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission recorded among infants born in the country between 2022 and 2024.

During the same period, 98 per cent of pregnant women accessed antenatal care, 98 per cent were tested for HIV and 98 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV 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.

Meanwhile, 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 recognised in recent years for progress towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission. These include the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands in 2026, and Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.

Brazil received certification in 2025.