Dominica is now certified as a country that has achieved the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis.
The certification was made possible by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dominica joins four Caribbean territories, Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Montserrat and 3 PAHO/WHO member states, Antigua & Barbuda, the Federation of St Kitts & Nevis and Cuba, having been the first country in the world to have been validated by the WHO in 2015.
What we are celebrating here this evening is truly a remarkable achievement,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said.
He said eliminating Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a public health concern requires the strengthening of primary prevention and treatment services for HIV and syphilis for pregnant women within an established and successful maternal, prenatal and child health services.
Dominica provides care and antiretroviral treatment to all HIV positive women after delivery, free of charge and, according to the prime minister, over the past 4 years, Dominica has been able to maintain 95% or more coverage of antenatal care and skilled attendance at birth.
Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne said Dominica’s country report was submitted to the Regional Evaluation Committee for review in November of 2019.
