Bahamas Earns WHO EMTCT Certification, Joining 12 Americas Leaders

The Bahamas has been certified by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, a designation that signals the country's antenatal care infrastructure, laboratory networks, and antiretroviral supply chains have met internationally validated thresholds. For public health programme leads and MCH coordinators across the Caribbean, the certification benchmarks what integrated primary care delivery can achieve at a national scale.

WHO certification requires countries to sustain a mother-to-child HIV transmission rate below 2%, fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1,000 live births, and at least 95% coverage across antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women. The Bahamas met these thresholds through universal antenatal care extended to all pregnant women regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. The programme integrates a multi-trimester testing protocol, screening at first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester, supported by a national laboratory network. EMTCT interventions operate under the Maternal and Child Health programme in coordination with the National Infectious Disease Programme.

Programme architecture includes multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offered to pregnant women, continuous monitoring of HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants, and STI treatment and family planning services provided free of charge.

The Bahamas joins 12 countries and territories in the Region of the Americas to achieve this certification. Cuba was the first country globally to be certified; Brazil received certification the prior year. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa both cited sustained political commitment and health workforce dedication as central to the outcome. Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness of The Bahamas, credited public health nurses, tertiary care clinicians, and clinic staff distributed across the archipelago.

The Bahamas has committed to sustaining certification standards through integrated primary care and continuous surveillance, consistent with WHO post-certification monitoring expectations.