From Eliminating HIV to Strengthening Maternal and Child Health: Impressive Achievements by UN Teams in 162 Countries

The UN teams are currently working in 162 countries and territories, collaborating on various programs and addressing a wide range of priorities. These include climate action, food security, gender equality, and civilian safety. UN Resident Coordinators and their teams are using innovative methods to problem-solve and better serve communities. This month, they have achieved some impressive milestones.

On Tuesday, May 7th, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. This recognition was part of a certification initiative involving PAHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and the ministries of health from these countries. This accomplishment is a significant step forward in strengthening maternal and child health programs, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and working towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.

These countries now join 20 others that have been certified for similar achievements, with the Caribbean leading the way with 11 certified countries. Key officials at the certification event included PAHO/WHO Director Jarbas Barbosa, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Christine Stegling, and UN Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended the countries for their dedication to integrating disease prevention and treatment into maternal and child health services, as well as their commitment to human rights and robust national laboratory systems.

To keep up with the latest updates from UN teams around the world