Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the most recent international locations within the Americas to obtain certification from the World Well being Group (WHO) for eliminating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT). The milestone was marked right now at a commemorative occasion organized by the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with help from UNICEF and UNAIDS and with the participation of well being ministers from the three international locations.
“This achievement is a testomony to years of dedication, laborious work, and collaboration amongst governments, well being professionals, and communities”, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa mentioned on the occasion. Dr. Barbosa additionally acknowledged the “exceptional resilience” displayed by the three international locations, guaranteeing the difference and continuation of important companies regardless of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I belief that the celebration right now will encourage different international locations to reinvigorate their commitments” in direction of a technology freed from HIV and congenital syphilis.
In 2010, international locations of the Americas dedicated to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and endorsed the regional technique, which was up to date in 2016 beneath the PAHO Plan of Motion for the Prevention and Management of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
To satisfy elimination targets, international locations targeted on strengthening prevention and therapy companies inside main well being care and in maternal and youngster well being, updating pointers, guaranteeing the efficient screening of pregnant ladies, monitoring circumstances and following-up with HIV and syphilis uncovered infants.
Globally, 19 international locations and territories have now been licensed for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, with 11 of them situated within the Americas. In 2015, Cuba made historical past by turning into the primary nation on this planet to attain the twin elimination of HIV and syphilis. This was adopted by Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis in 2017, and Dominica in 2020.
“The top of AIDS is a chance for a uniquely highly effective legacy for right now’s leaders. We’re once more celebrating an excellent public well being milestone right now as Caribbean international locations present world management within the elimination agenda to attain an HIV free technology,” Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Govt Director, mentioned.
New HIV infections amongst youngsters within the Caribbean decreased by 25% between 2010 and 2022. Throughout that interval, annual notified circumstances declined from 2,000 to 1,500. Reported circumstances of congenital syphilis within the English-speaking Caribbean now stand at 36 circumstances per 100,000 newborns, beneath the aim of not more than 50 circumstances per 100,000 newborns.
“UNICEF welcomes the dedication of Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for attaining the double elimination of vertical transmission for HIV and Syphilis”, Garry Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, mentioned. “We’re assured that this milestone can be a catalyst for different international locations within the area to pursue the Elimination of Mom-to-Youngster Transmission Agenda towards the 2030 goal: No youngster left behind within the progress to finish AIDS,” Conille added.
WHO awards this certification to international locations which have introduced the mother-to-child HIV transmission price to beneath 5%; offered antenatal care and antiretroviral therapy to greater than 90% of pregnant ladies; reported fewer than 50 new circumstances of congenital syphilis per 100,000 newborns, and achieved an HIV case price of fewer than 500 per 100,000 reside births.
Elimination Initiative
The PAHO Elimination Initiative seeks to place an finish to greater than 30 communicable ailments, together with the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.
The initiative was relaunched throughout the Group’s 60th Directing Council and seeks to harness the teachings discovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to from earlier elimination experiences to speed up illness elimination within the Area.
Quotes from Ministers of Well being
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Well being and Wellness of Belize: “Eliminating mom to youngster transmission of HIV and syphilis is an especially important accomplishment for the individuals and the nation of Belize. The actions main as much as this momentous aim weren’t all the time straightforward, nonetheless with the dedication and motivation of our well being care employees, in all areas of well being, this has turn out to be a actuality. We proceed to work in direction of attaining public well being objectives for a more healthy and extra productive Belize.”
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Well being and Wellness of Jamaica: “The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a win that underscores defending the well being of all. Additionally it is exemplary of the extraordinary progress being made in our maternal well being care. What’s extra, it’s vitally necessary that we consolidate the positive aspects comprised of this achievement, particularly by way of continued group engagement and partnership in the general public well being curiosity of all.”
St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Well being, Wellness and the Surroundings of St Vincent and the Grenadines: “I commend the dedication and dedication of healthcare employees on attaining certification by the World Well being Group (WHO) of the twin elimination of mom to youngster transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. This achievement alerts to the world that ending paediatric HIV and congenital syphilis by way of the elimination of mom to youngster transmission of HIV and syphilis is achievable. The Ministry will proceed to work in direction of ending AIDS as a public well being risk by 2030.”
