The Caribbean is emerging as a global leader in the fight against mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B through a coordinated regional effort led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and supported by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The initiative aims to strengthen maternal and child health services, improve disease surveillance, enhance laboratory capacity, and expand access to preventive healthcare for pregnant women and newborns across CARICOM member states.
Funded through a US$1 million grant from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, the project focuses on integrating maternal and child health services with strategies designed to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases. The programme promotes stronger leadership, improved diagnostics, and a comprehensive healthcare approach that protects mothers and children throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and early infancy.
Recent achievements highlight the region’s remarkable progress. The Bahamas has been certified by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, while the Turks and Caicos Islands became the first territory in the Americas and only the third globally to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. The Turks and Caicos Islands also achieved certification for eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission, marking a significant public health milestone.
The Bahamas’ success is largely attributed to decades of investment in universal screening, antenatal care, standardized treatment protocols, and laboratory support services. Health officials credit visionary leadership, sustained political commitment, and equitable access to healthcare as key factors behind the country’s achievement. Similar dedication and investment in health systems have enabled the Turks and Caicos Islands to reach internationally recognized elimination standards.
International organizations and global leaders have praised these accomplishments as examples of effective collaboration and strong healthcare systems. The achievements demonstrate how strategic partnerships, long-term planning, and investments in maternal and child healthcare can significantly reduce preventable diseases and improve public health outcomes.
A major component of the initiative involves strengthening healthcare capacity across the Caribbean. Since late 2025, more than 600 healthcare professionals from CARICOM countries and territories have participated in specialized training programmes focused on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases that can be transmitted from mother to child. Ongoing knowledge-sharing platforms continue to support healthcare workers and policymakers throughout the region.
As Caribbean nations continue advancing toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of preventable diseases, the region is providing a model for other countries seeking to strengthen maternal and child health systems. The initiative demonstrates how sustained commitment, regional cooperation, and inclusive healthcare policies can create healthier futures for the next generation.
