The Bahamas has officially stopped HIV from passing from mothers to their children. The World Health Organization certified this public health milestone, making the island nation the latest in the Caribbean to achieve it.
## A Model of Universal Care
## Joining a Regional Vanguard
## The Rigorous Path to Certification
This success was built on a healthcare model that leaves no one behind. For years, The Bahamas has provided universal antenatal care to all pregnant women across its archipelago, whether in public or private facilities and regardless of nationality or legal status. A strong laboratory network supports a strict testing protocol, screening women at their first appointment and again late in pregnancy. The program integrates prevention, treatment, and follow-up care, offering free antiretroviral medicines, STI treatment, and family planning. Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville credited the nationwide effort, involving nurses, doctors, and clinics spread throughout the islands.
The Bahamas now joins an elite group. It is one of 12 countries and territories in the Region of the Americas to earn this WHO certification. Cuba was the first country in the world to be certified, and Brazil achieved it last year. More than half of all global certifications are from Latin America and the Caribbean, establishing the region as a leader in this specific public health ambition.
WHO certification is not easily won. Countries must prove they have sustained three key benchmarks: reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to below 2%, achieving fewer than five new pediatric HIV infections per 1000 live births, and maintaining at least 95% coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women. The Bahamas met and will now work to sustain these rigorous standards through integrated primary care and continuous surveillance.
The certification solidifies a decades-long national effort against HIV/AIDS. WHO and PAHO directors highlighted the sustained political commitment and health worker dedication behind the outcome. By ensuring children are born free of HIV, the achievement secures a foundational element of a healthier future for the next generation in The Bahamas, while contributing to a broader regional legacy of progress against the disease.
