Loop – St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been commended for achieving certification by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the dual elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment says this achievement signals to the world that ending paediatric HIV and congenital syphilis through the elimination of Mother to Child transmission of HIV and syphilis are achievable.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is 1 of the 11 countries which have been certified from the Caribbean and the total of 20 in the world. St Vincent and the Grenadines is the sixth country within the subregion of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to achieve elimination and will be up for re-validation in the next four years.
As stated by Dr Richard Amenyah Multi-Country Office Director UNAIDS Jamaica, “This is testament to the resilience and dedication of St Vincent and the Grenadines and other Caribbean countries in ensuring health systems with strong maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) programmes that integrate HIV and syphilis interventions into MNCH services and child health care. It is also recognition of strong and sustained national leadership and commitment to health and EMTCT”.
Sr Arlitha John – Douglas Coordinator National Family Planning Program and member of the local EMTC team will represent the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday, May 7 to receive this special award certifying the EMTCT.
The Ministry of Health says it will continue to work towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
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