WHO announces that Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV
On 30 October 2026 the WHO announced that Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem.
Key points
- The WHO announced on 30 October 2026 that Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem.
- The certification follows an independent assessment that confirmed Barbados met the global targets.
- The WHO reports no new HIV infections from mother-to-child transmission among infants born in Barbados from 2022 to 2024.
- Barbados joins a group of 26 countries and territories recognised by the WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or for being on track to do so.
What was announced
On 30 October 2026 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Barbados, in the Caribbean, has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem. The certification follows an independent assessment confirming that Barbados met the global targets. The WHO reports that no new HIV infections from mother-to-child transmission were recorded among infants born in Barbados from 2022 to 2024.
What it means
Barbados joins a group of 26 countries and territories that the WHO recognises for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or for being on track to do so; 15 of them are in the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization says that keeping this status will need continued investment, updated guidelines, stronger health information systems, expanded HIV and syphilis testing and better follow-up for women and children.
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- WHO Europe: hepatitis progress and gaps Health news · 28 July 2026