UNAIDS congratulates the Bahamas on eliminating both mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. The certifications , awarded by the World Health Organization (WHO), with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recognize sustained progress to ensure that pregnant women have access to quality antenatal care, get tested on time and start treatment early. The result has been that babies have been born free of preventable infections.
In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. They endorsed a regional strategy that was later updated through PAHO's Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections . To reach elimination targets, countries have strengthened HIV prevention and treatment within primary health care and maternal and child health services through wider screening during pregnancy, better follow-up for babies exposed to HIV and faster access to medicines and care.
"The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "This achievement reflects political will for steady investment in primary health care and the dedication of health teams and people living with and most affected by HIV. When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment without delay and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV."
Validation suggests that a country or territory has met the required impact and programme indicators and that it can show results are being sustained.
Across the Caribbean, countries and territories have worked towards the global targets of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. WHO and PAHO first certified Cuba in 2015 for dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. In 2017, certifications followed for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. More recently, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have also been certified.
UNAIDS recognizes PAHO's leadership in driving the regional elimination agenda and supporting countries through its Elimination Platform . The platform helps bring together ministries of health, communities and partners to speed up action and sustain results. UNAIDS works closely with PAHO across the region, alongside the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, civil society and community-led organizations to strengthen services, improve surveillance and close remaining gaps so elimination gains are protected and expanded.
The certifications come as the world pushes to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Preventing HIV infections among children remains a global priority. Between 2010 and 2024 new HIV infections among children were reduced by 62% from 310 000 in 2010 to 120 000 in 2024.
UNAIDS calls for continued investment to protect these gains. That means stronger, integrated maternal, newborn and child health services; reliable access to quality-assured medicines, diagnostics and supplies; action to tackle stigma and discrimination; and support for community-led responses that help women and families stay connected to care.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org
