Jamaica receives WHO certification for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis

Jamaica is among three Caribbean territories to receive certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. 

The country, which embarked on this mission through its Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programme more than two decades ago, joins Belize and St Vincent and the Grenadines as the latest territories to achieve this milestone. 

“You are now in a unique position to encourage and rally other governments to prioritise adequate and sustained investment in health care, to improve quality primary health care services and make them sustainable,” Olga Isaza, UNICEF Representative to Jamaica stated.

She was speaking at a ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel to recognise the achievement on Tuesday morning. 

In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and endorsed the regional strategy. This was updated in 2016 under the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

To meet elimination targets, countries focused on strengthening prevention and treatment services within primary health care and in maternal and child health, updating guidelines, ensuring the effective screening of pregnant women, monitoring cases and following-up with HIV and syphilis-exposed infants. 

Globally, a total of 17 countries have eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, with 11 of those countries in the Americas.  

Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton noted the significance of this certification, sharing that the Caribbean region is documented as having the second highest incident rates of reported AIDS cases in the world, with more than 300,000 Caribbean citizens living with HIV/AIDS. 

“Amidst the difficulties, however, this ceremony is evidence that progress is being made to end the ravaging impact of this viral disease,” he said. 

He stated that this achievement is the outcome of concerted national action, with a multiplicity of intervention to close the HIV prevention and treatment gap for children, adolescents, women and expectant mothers. 

“Jamaica's success on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis signals an enduring commitment to the sustainable development goals of ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all people of all ages,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Director of PAHO, Jarbas Barbosa, while congratulating the countries noted that it is a “testament of years and dedication and hard work”. 

He also hailed the front line healthcare workers as the catalyst of this change. 

-Sashana Small 

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