Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

The Bahamas Achieves Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

The <span>Bahamas</span> joins 12 countries in the Region of the Americas, including Cuba and Brazil, certified as having eliminated the mother-to-child transmission of <span>HIV</span>, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. 

Eliminating mother-to-child <span>HIV transmission</span>, also called vertical transmission, to zero is a crucial milestone to achieve the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS by 2030. 

The WHO has congratulated the country on its landmark achievement.

“I congratulate The Bahamas on this outstanding achievement, which solidifies years of political commitment and the dedication of health workers,” said <span>Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</span>, WHO Director-General.

“By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation,” he added.

<h2>What Is Mother-to-child Transmission Of HIV?</h2>

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV occurs when an HIV positive mother passes the virus to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. 

In the absence of intervention, such a rate of transmission of HIV ranges from 15 per cent to 45 per cent. Globally, an estimated 1.3 million women and girls living with HIV become pregnant each year. 

<strong>Read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/denmark-1st-european-country-to-eradicate-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv-syphilis-article-153711067" data-type="tilCustomLink">Denmark 1st European country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis</a>

<h2>How The Bahamas Achieved Elimination </h2>

The Bahamas achieved the milestone by pioneering a comprehensive and inclusive health-care model. This includes public health measures such as: 

The provision of universal antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. a strong, integrated laboratory network

a rigorous testing protocol that screens women at their first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester. 

For the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the country has introduced pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, which is also offered to pregnant women.

To ensure continuity of care, the health system maintains adequate monitoring for HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants, provides multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, and offers <span>STI</span> treatment and family planning services free of charge.

“HIV is a reportable condition in the Bahamas. And identifying women who tested positive is one of our first lines of defense for preventing mother-to-child transmission,” explained Glenise Johnson, epidemiologist with The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW).

<strong>Read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/reducing-mother-to-child-hiv-transmission-to-zero-key-to-end-aids-in-india-experts-article-153769494" data-type="tilCustomLink">Reducing Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission To Zero Key To End AIDS In India: Experts</a>

<h2>How Countries Achieve WHO certification </h2>

To meet the elimination criteria, countries must show that very few babies are born with HIV and that almost all pregnant women receive proper care. The countries must prove they have sustained the following:

<ul><li>reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to less than 2 per cent; </li><li>achieving fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1000 live births; and </li><li>maintaining 95 per cent or higher coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women.</li></ul>“The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible,” said <span>Winnie Byanyima</span>, UNAIDS Executive Director.

"When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment quickly, and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV and other STIs,” she added.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Vertical  HIV Transmission

Mother to Child HIV Transmission

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The Bahamas joins 12 countries in the Region of the Americas, including Cuba and Brazil, certified as having eliminated the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. Eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission, also called vertical transmission, to zero is a crucial milestone to achieve the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS by 2030.  The WHO has congratulated the country on its landmark achievement. “I congratulate The Bahamas on this outstanding achievement, which solidifies years of political commitment and the dedication of health workers,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.“By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation,” he added.What Is Mother-to-child Transmission Of HIV?Mother-to-child transmission of HIV occurs when an HIV positive mother passes the virus to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. In the absence of intervention, such a rate of transmission of HIV ranges from 15 per cent to 45 per cent. Globally, an estimated 1.3 million women and girls living with HIV become pregnant each year.  Read: Denmark 1st European country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilisHow The Bahamas Achieved Elimination  The Bahamas achieved the milestone by pioneering a comprehensive and inclusive health-care model. This includes public health measures such as: The provision of universal antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. a strong, integrated laboratory network a rigorous testing protocol that screens women at their first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester. For the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the country has introduced pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, which is also offered to pregnant women. To ensure continuity of care, the health system maintains adequate monitoring for HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants, provides multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, and offers STI treatment and family planning services free of charge. “HIV is a reportable condition in the Bahamas. And identifying women who tested positive is one of our first lines of defense for preventing mother-to-child transmission,” explained Glenise Johnson, epidemiologist with The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW).Read: Reducing Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission To Zero Key To End AIDS In India: Experts How Countries Achieve WHO certification To meet the elimination criteria, countries must show that very few babies are born with HIV and that almost all pregnant women receive proper care. The countries must prove they have sustained the following: reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to less than 2 per cent; achieving fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1000 live births; and maintaining 95 per cent or higher coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women.“The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. "When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment quickly, and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV and other STIs,” she added.