WHO certifies the Bahamas for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV

The World Health Organization has certified the Bahamas for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, marking a major public-health milestone for the Caribbean nation.

WHO said the country met the criteria by sustaining very low rates of mother-to-child transmission, keeping pediatric infections low, and maintaining strong coverage of antenatal care, testing and treatment. The announcement was published on April 22.

The Pan American Health Organization backed the certification and said the Bahamas achieved the result by integrating EMTCT services into antenatal care and broader public-health programs. PAHO also highlighted the country's approach in a separate background story on how it ended mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

The certification is significant because it reflects sustained access to routine prenatal testing and treatment, rather than a single campaign or short-term intervention. It also places the Bahamas among countries recognized by WHO for progress in preventing infants from acquiring HIV during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

WHO and PAHO have not indicated any immediate follow-up action beyond continued monitoring of the country's public-health systems.