The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have certified the Turks and Caicos Islands for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and hepatitis B, marking a major public health milestone for the territory.
Announced on 3 June 2026 in Washington, D.C., the certification confirms that the territory has successfully met strict global criteria for eliminating transmission of these infections from mothers to infants. This includes maintaining very low transmission rates, high coverage of antenatal care, and widespread testing and treatment for pregnant women.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the achievement as evidence that elimination is possible with sustained political commitment, strong health systems, and equitable access to care. PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa emphasized that the success reflects integrated primary health care systems and efforts to ensure that no population group is left behind.
According to the report, more than 95% of pregnant women in the territory receive antenatal care and are screened for infections, while over 90% of infants receive timely hepatitis B vaccination, including a birth dose within 24 hours. All infants exposed to HIV are monitored and provided with follow-up care.
Health authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands credited their success to free and widely accessible maternal health services, routine opt-out screening, strong surveillance systems, and coordinated care between public and private healthcare providers. Outreach programs targeting migrant and mobile populations also played a key role in ensuring broad coverage.
The certification requires countries to demonstrate that mother-to-child HIV transmission rates are reduced to below 2%, that there are fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1,000 live births, and that at least 95% coverage is achieved for key maternal health interventions.
UN agencies, including UNICEF and UNAIDS, praised the achievement as an important step toward global efforts to end AIDS in children by 2030. They highlighted that continued monitoring, investment, and equity-focused healthcare delivery will be necessary to sustain elimination status over time.
Turks and Caicos now joins a growing number of countries in the Americas that have achieved elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and related infections.
