UNAIDS on Friday congratulated the government and people of Barbados on obtaining certification of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as determined by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source: UNAIDS via ReliefWeb

"UNAIDS is delighted to share in this achievement, made possible by the work and leadership of health-care workers, people living with HIV, civil society, and technical and political leaders, whose efforts have helped ensure that all women can receive the treatment and care they need to prevent HIV transmission to their babies," said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

15 of 23Worldwide mother-to-child HIV elimination certifications now in the Americas
~65%Share of all such certifications held by the region
2010Year Barbados committed to elimination under PAHO's plan
2025PAHO/WHO assessment visit to the island

Barbados was among the countries in the Americas that committed in 2010 to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis under PAHO's Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. In 2025, PAHO and WHO conducted a visit to the island to assess services for pregnant and breastfeeding women — including testing and diagnostic services, HIV services, maternal and child health clinics, immunisation and epidemiological surveillance — that are essential to preventing transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

The milestone adds to regional progress that includes Brazil, which was certified in December 2025. With Barbados added, Latin America and the Caribbean now account for 15 of the 23 countries and territories worldwide that have achieved certification, compared with eight in other regions — about 65 per cent of all certifications globally, UNAIDS said.

"The Caribbean has strong maternal health programmes that offer valuable lessons on how to protect the health and well-being of women and their babies," Cabal said. UNAIDS encouraged Barbados to build on the achievement through sustained investment in maternal and child health services, reliable access to medicines and diagnostic tests, action against stigma and discrimination, and support for community-led responses.