Brazil has been recognised by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. It is the largest country ever to receive this validation.

Health officials say the achievement is linked to long-term investment in maternal healthcare. Pregnant women across the country have access to regular prenatal check-ups and routine HIV testing. Women who test positive receive free antiretroviral treatment. Care continues during childbirth and breastfeeding. These measures reduced transmission rates to below two percent nationwide.

According to the World Health Organization, this level meets international elimination standards. The agency describes Brazil’s approach as comprehensive and consistent across regions.

Globally, the picture remains uneven. Nineteen countries have been certified for eliminating this form of transmission. Most are small or middle-income states, mainly in the Americas. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS reports that most new paediatric HIV infections still occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited access to prenatal care and treatment remains a challenge in many countries.

Global health agencies say Brazil’s experience shows that prevention works when testing and treatment are widely available. They stress that expanding maternal healthcare remains central to reducing new infections worldwide.

Photo: world Bank’s Photo collection via flickr