Born Free: The Caribbean is Leading the Global Charge Against Mother-to-Child Transmission of Diseases

Bridgetown, Barbados, 19 June 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - For a newborn baby, the circumstances of birth dictate the trajectory of a lifetime. Across the Caribbean, a quiet revolution is underway to ensure that path is defined by health, not inherited illness.

Thanks to a powerful alliance fueled by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Caribbean nations are rapidly dismantling the threat of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.

The project is supported by a US$1 million grant from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a flagship initiative of South-South Cooperation implemented through the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), reflecting commitment to partnership with the Global South.

The project, "Strengthening the EMTCT Strategy with Maternal and Child Health Services in CARICOM Member States," is bridging critical gaps in regional healthcare. By reinforcing leadership within Maternal and Child Health, upgrading laboratory diagnostic capacity, and strengthening surveillance, it is transforming how the region protects its most vulnerable, utilizing a systematic and inter-programmatic approach.

Historic Milestones on the Horizon

Years of grit and political will are yielding historic dividends. Recently, two Caribbean nations received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on what was once thought impossible: the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of diseases.

• The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI): Made global history by becoming the first territory in the Americas-and only the third globally-to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B. They were also certified for eliminating the mother to child transmission of HIV.
• The Bahamas: Certified as having eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Bahamas PWR Dr Eldonna Boisson presenting the certificate to Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness in the Bahamas Reception of the certificate by Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Charles W Misick, Premier Turks and Caicos Islands and Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services.

The Bahamian success story is one of innovation pioneered in the late 1990s through a deeply empathetic healthcare model, providing universal screening and antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of their nationality or legal status. The experience and lessons learnt, backed by standardized protocols, supportive laboratory services and advance treatment, were shared with other Caribbean countries and contributed significantly to the reduction of perinatal transmission of HIV.

Both Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness in the Bahamas and Prime Minister, Hon. Philip Davis, recognized the contribution of the late Dr. Michael Perry Gomez, whose visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the national HIV response in the Bahamas charted the course to elimination.

"And today we celebrate this great milestone on behalf of a great physician, a dedicated Bahamian, and a friend and mentor… As we celebrate our achievements, we pause to honor those who lay the foundation for this success… His work reminds us that progress in public health is never accidental," remarked Minister Darville.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Davis stressed the enduring contributions of the late Dr. Michael Perry Gomez, reminding us that progress in public health is never accidental. "This achievement stands as a powerful example of what is possible when healthcare is placed at the center of national development. As a government, we reaffirm that healthcare is not a privilege. It is a right. It is the core pillar of our national agenda," he affirmed.

Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands emphasized that though they were proud of the they are very aware of the responsibility it brings. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustain these gains, strengthening our systems, and ensuring that every mother, every child continues to build and benefit from the high quality, equitable, and accessible health care," Mr Knowles noted.

The certification was described by Premier, the Hon. Charles Washington Misick, as representative of the strength of their institutions, effective partnerships, and unwavering commitment to protecting health and well-being. "It demonstrates that regardless of our size, we possess the vision, determination, and capacity to lead by example and set standards others may aspire to. Today's success did not happen overnight… It is the result of years of dedication, strategic planning, and sustained investment," he affirmed.

A Triumph of Global Solidarity

These historic achievements have drawn praise from leaders worldwide, highlighting the power of international cooperation.

Following the celebration in TCI, His Excellency Mayank Joshi, High Commissioner of India, noted that the milestone transcends statistics: "It reflects strong multistakeholder partnership and years of investment in maternal and child healthcare, strengthened health systems, effective surveillance, and a collective commitment to ensuring that every child can begin life healthy and free from preventable diseases. India is proud to support such initiatives through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund."

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, echoed this sentiment, stating that these certifications prove what can be achieved through "sustained political commitment, strong health systems, and equitable access to care."

Closer to home, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, pointed to the local dedication driving the shift. "These achievements show the power of integrated primary health care and the importance of leaving no one behind, including the most vulnerable populations," he noted.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director of PAHO-WHO, emphasized that the foundation of TCI's victory rested on its stellar immunization infrastructure. "The hepatitis B birth dose remains a critical intervention... the experience of the Turks and Caicos Islands demonstrates how a strong immunization program can serve as a foundation for elimination."

The Engine Room of Progress: Training and Surveillance

Behind these headlines is a massive, ongoing capacity-building effort to ensure the sustainability of the gains. Since November 2025, more than 600 healthcare professionals from CARICOM member states and territories have undergone intensive virtual training sessions aimed at overall strengthening of the EMTCT primary prevention and treatment services at the primary care level.

Baby visit clinic

Coordinated by the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination Office, these virtual capacity building sessions are aligned with a "Community of Practice, " which allows for ongoing and real-time exchange of lessons learned and experiences to further strengthen EMTCT policies, programming and implementation within Maternal and Child Health.

"The Caribbean has the enviable record of leading the world in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV because out of 23 certifications globally, almost 60% come from this region," said Luisa Cabal, Regional Director at UNAIDS.

"The elimination of vertical transmission is no small feat. This has played a significant role in the reductions of new infections by 21% in the Caribbean that have occurred since 2010. UNAIDS as a partner recognizes and commends PAHO for its leadership in driving the regional elimination agenda and supporting countries through its elimination platform. Importantly, the certification comes as the world pushes to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030," she added.

Wendy Telford-Emanuelson, Executive Director of the PAN Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS, agreed, noting that the EMTCT initiative aligns perfectly with the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework 2026-2030. "Health is not solely the responsibility of the health sector, but a shared responsibility across all sectors of society," she said, expressing gratitude for India's funding and PAHO's technical leadership.

A Reminder of the Stakes

Despite the celebrations, regional health officials warn against complacency. The battle is far from won.

Recent data reported to PAHO reveals a sobering reality: congenital syphilis cases skyrocketed by 40% across the Americas between 2016 and 2022, with over 36,000 cases reported in 2022 alone. Furthermore, 19 out of 26 reporting countries noted a sharp rise in syphilis infections among pregnant women.

These rising numbers serve as a stark reminder of why sustained vigilance is non-negotiable.

Key Pillars of the Caribbean Health Renewal:

• Universal Screening: Expanding rapid, point-of-care testing to close existing gaps in pregnant women while scaling-up testing and treatment for the general population.
• Data-Driven Advocacy: Upgrading national surveillance to ensure the availability of systems to adequately monitor and track cases.
• The Birth Dose Commitment: Ensuring every newborn receives immediate Hepatitis B vaccination protection at birth as well as follow-up immunization, based on the national protocol.

The elimination of mother-to-child disease transmission remains a crowning pillar of PAHO's broader regional agenda. By tackling these systemic healthcare gaps head-on, the Caribbean is not just fighting infections - it is building an equitable, resilient future where the next generation is guaranteed the healthiest possible start to life.

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Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis,Hepatitis B, and Chagas