WHO Certifies Brazil for Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Brazil for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, marking a major public health milestone and making Brazil the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this status.

The achievement reflects Brazil’s long-standing commitment to universal, free access to health care through its Unified Health System (SUS), supported by a strong primary health-care network and grounded in respect for human rights.

“Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a major public health achievement for any country, especially for a country as large and complex as Brazil,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Brazil has demonstrated that with sustained political commitment and equitable access to quality health services, every child can be born free of HIV and every mother can receive the care she deserves.”

The certification was announced during a ceremony in Brasília attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, and representatives from UNAIDS.

Brazil met all WHO validation criteria, including reducing vertical transmission of HIV to below 2 percent and achieving more than 95 percent coverage in prenatal care, routine HIV testing, and timely treatment for pregnant women living with HIV. The country also demonstrated high-quality maternal and infant health services, robust data and laboratory systems, and strong commitments to human rights, gender equality, and community participation.

To reach this goal, Brazil adopted a progressive subnational approach, first certifying states and municipalities with populations exceeding 100,000. The country adapted the PAHO/WHO validation methodology to its national context while maintaining consistency across regions. The evaluation process, supported by PAHO, was carried out by independent experts and later reviewed by WHO’s Global Validation Advisory Committee, which formally recommended certification.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said the achievement proves that eliminating vertical transmission of HIV is possible when pregnant women know their HIV status, receive timely treatment, and have access to safe maternal health services. He also highlighted the dedication of health professionals, community health workers, and civil society organizations who work daily to ensure continuity of care and reach vulnerable populations.

Over the past decade (2015–2024), more than 50,000 pediatric HIV infections have been prevented across the Americas through efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission. Brazil’s success is part of the broader EMTCT Plus Initiative, which aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and congenital Chagas disease, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS. This initiative is embedded within PAHO’s regional goal to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed Brazil’s certification, noting that it is the first country with a population of more than 100 million to achieve elimination of vertical HIV transmission. She emphasized that the country succeeded by prioritizing universal health care, addressing the social determinants of the epidemic, protecting human rights, and ensuring equitable access to medicines.

Source: World Health Organization