The Caribbean has achieved another significant milestone in the fight to end AIDS.  The Commonwealth of Dominica was certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EMTCT) in 2020.  The certification was granted following a thorough in-country validation assessment by the Regional Validation Committee, an independent body responsible for EMTCT certification.

Dominica joins six Caribbean countries that have been validated for EMTCT, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis. In April 2015, Cuba became the first country in the World to achieve EMTCT validation and was recertified on 1 December 2017.

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other regional stakeholders have extended congratulatory messages to Dominica on the achievement.

A virtual ceremony highlighting the country’s achievement is scheduled for 14 May 2021.  Key stakeholders from PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS and CARICOM, are expected to deliver remarks at the virtual event.

For more information on the certification ceremony, visit the PANCAP event web page here.  To register for the event, click here.