Barbados has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this on Friday, October 30, 2026. The Caribbean country achieved this milestone after years of investment in prenatal care, HIV screening and treatment for pregnant women. Between 2022 and 2024, no new HIV infections among newborns as a result of mother-to-child transmission were recorded in Barbados.
The WHO officially certified Barbados after an independent assessment found that the country meets international targets for preventing HIV transmission during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
According to the World Health Organization, Barbados now belongs to a group of 26 countries and territories worldwide that have received recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or are on track to achieve these targets.
Fifteen of these countries and territories are located in the Americas, making the region a global leader.
Nearly all pregnant women reached
The WHO evaluation shows that Barbados achieved particularly high coverage of health services for pregnant women between 2022 and 2024.
During this period, 98 percent of pregnant women received prenatal care. An equal percentage was tested for HIV. In addition, 98 percent of pregnant women with HIV received antiretroviral treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their child.
According to the WHO, Barbados’ healthcare system plays an important role in these results. HIV tests and treatment are provided free of charge to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality. Privacy and patients’ rights are taken into account.
Babies who may have been exposed to HIV during pregnancy or childbirth also receive early testing and medical guidance.
WHO calls it an important milestone
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Barbados on the result achieved. According to him, the country shows how universal access to healthcare can, in practice, help prevent new HIV infections among children.
Jarbas Barbosa, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), also calls the certification an important achievement for Barbados and the Caribbean.
According to Barbosa, the result demonstrates that mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be prevented when women and children have unhindered access to quality healthcare.
Minister stresses importance for future generations
Barbados’ Minister of Health and Wellness, Lisa Cummins, described the development as historic for her country.
According to the minister, the result means that children have better chances of growing up healthy, while women with HIV have access to the necessary treatment and medical guidance during their pregnancy.
According to health authorities, the success is the result of long-term cooperation between the Government of Barbados, PAHO, the WHO and various national and international partners.
This cooperation focused, among other things, on strengthening HIV care, disease surveillance and improving the quality of medical services.
UNICEF and UNAIDS respond positively
UNICEF and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have also responded positively to the certification.
Robert Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed that an HIV diagnosis during pregnancy no longer has to mean that the virus will be transmitted to the child.
Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, attributes the results achieved to political commitment, investment in healthcare and cooperation between medical professionals, civil society organisations and people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, Barbados shows that an approach centred on human rights, equal access to care and medical treatment can indeed deliver results.
HIV response remains necessary
The certification does not mean that HIV has completely disappeared from Barbados. The recognition means that mother-to-child transmission of the virus has been reduced to a level at which, according to the WHO, it is no longer considered a public health problem.
To maintain this status, Barbados must continue investing in HIV prevention, screening, treatment and guidance for women and children.
With the certification, Barbados joins other countries and territories in the region that have achieved similar results. The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands received recognition in 2026, while Brazil was certified in 2025 and Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024 for relevant targets in this area.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) considers the development an important contribution to regional and global efforts to prevent new HIV infections among children.
