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Belize, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis 

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Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the latest countries in the Americas to receive certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT). The milestone was marked today at a commemorative event organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with support from UNICEF and UNAIDS and with the participation of health ministers from the three countries.

 

“This achievement is a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and collaboration among governments, health professionals, and communities”, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said at the event. Dr. Barbosa also acknowledged the “remarkable resilience” displayed by the three countries, ensuring the adaptation and continuation of essential services despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I trust that the celebration today will inspire other countries to reinvigorate their commitments” towards a generation free of HIV and congenital syphilis.

 

In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and endorsed the regional strategy, which was updated in 2016 under the PAHO Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

 

To meet elimination targets, countries focused on strengthening prevention and treatment services within primary health care and in maternal and child health, updating guidelines, ensuring the effective screening of pregnant women, monitoring cases and following-up with HIV and syphilis exposed infants.

 

In a video message, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Belize for integrating primary disease prevention and treatment into maternal and child health services. He also commended Jamaica for its civil society organizations’ commitment to human rights and lauded St. Vincent and the Grenadines for investing in robust national laboratory structures. “While validation is a tremendous accomplishment, maintaining it requires sustained efforts to prevent new infections,” he said. “WHO and partners will continue to support all countries in the Americas to strengthen health systems, provide comprehensive services, and ensure the involvement of women in planning and service delivery.”

 

Globally, 19 countries and territories have now been certified for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, with 11 of them located in the Americas. In 2015, Cuba made history by becoming the first country in the world to achieve the dual elimination of HIV and syphilis. This was followed by Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis in 2017, and Dominica in 2020.

 

“The end of AIDS is an opportunity for a uniquely powerful legacy for today’s leaders. We are again celebrating a great public health milestone today as Caribbean countries show global leadership in the elimination agenda to achieve an HIV free generation,” Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, said.

 

New HIV infections among children in the Caribbean decreased by 25% between 2010 and 2022. During that period, annual notified cases declined from 2,000 to 1,500. Reported cases of congenital syphilis in the English-speaking Caribbean now stand at 36 cases per 100,000 newborns, below the goal of no more than 50 cases per 100,000 newborns.

 

“UNICEF welcomes the commitment of Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for achieving the double elimination of vertical transmission for HIV and Syphilis”, Garry Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said. “We are confident that this milestone will be a catalyst for other countries in the region to pursue the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission Agenda toward the 2030 target: No child left behind in the progress to end AIDS,” Conille added.

 

WHO awards this certification to countries which have brought the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate to under 5%; provided antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women; reported fewer than 50 new cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 newborns, and achieved an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100,000 live births.

 

Elimination Initiative

 

The PAHO Elimination Initiative seeks to put an end to more than 30 communicable diseases, including the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.

 

The initiative was relaunched during the Organization’s 60th Directing Council and seeks to harness the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as from previous elimination experiences to accelerate disease elimination in the Region.

 

Quotes from Ministers of Health

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize: “Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis is an extremely significant accomplishment for the people and the country of Belize. The activities leading up to this momentous goal were not always easy, however with the commitment and motivation of our health care workers, in all areas of health, this has become a reality. We continue to work towards achieving public health goals for a healthier and more productive Belize.”

 

Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness of Jamaica: “The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a win that underscores protecting the health of all. It is also exemplary of the extraordinary progress being made in our maternal health care. What’s more, it is vitally important that we consolidate the gains made from this achievement, especially through continued community engagement and partnership in the public health interest of all.”

 

St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment of St Vincent and the Grenadines: “I commend the dedication and commitment of healthcare workers on achieving certification by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the dual elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. 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 is achievable. The Ministry will continue to work towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

 

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Government Progressing with Plans to Build Seven STEM and STEAM Schools

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#MontegoBay, July 3, 2024 – The Government is progressing with plans to construct six Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Schools and one Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says arrangements to build the STEAM school, being cited in Montego Bay, are “proceeding.”

“The land is acquired and the budget is in place from the Ministry of Finance [and the Public Service]. By the end of the year the Ministry of Education [and Youth] can give a timeframe on it,” he stated.

Regarding construction of the STEM Schools, Dr. Chang advised that  “we will be opening the first one in Portmore [St. Catherine] very soon.”

He was speaking during the University of Technology (UTech) Western Campus’ recent STEM Summer camp launch at the institution’s campus in Montego Bay, St. James.

The camp, being held in western Jamaica for the first time, will see some 100 youth from communities in Hanover, Trelawny and St. James engaging in several STEM-related activities.

For his part, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) President, Oral Heaven, said Jamaica has been declared a ‘STEM island’, adding that the camp serves as testament to the country’s growing prominence in the global STEM landscape.

“This designation opens the door for so many things, through multinational STEM investments [and] real money for our people, positioning Jamaica as a hub of innovation and technological advancement,” he outlined.

Dr. Chang pointed out that there is “a legacy of STEM activity” in the west, noting that the Government is committed to expanding opportunities in the sector.

“It is imperative, therefore, that we attract some of these investments to Montego Bay”, adding that, “we must focus on the positives and potential solutions that STEM can offer.”

The STEM Summer Camp will be held in two phases for junior and senior participants under the theme: ‘Think, Collaborate and Innovate to Grow and Be Resilient’.

Junior participants will attend from July 8-19, and the older youth between July 15 and 26.

 

Contact: Serena Grant

Release: JIS

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Persons in Low-Lying Areas Urged to Evacuate as Hurricane Beryl Approaches

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#Kingston, Jamaica, July 1, 2024 – As Hurricane Beryl approaches Jamaica, persons living in low-lying and flood prone areas are being urged to assess their situation and make the decision to relocate as early as possible.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the call during a press conference at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1).

“I quite understand that people don’t want to leave their property; but the most important thing is your life. So I would encourage you, please, the security forces or emergency services would not be able to operate in the heights of the hurricane and even just before, and there might even be a delay afterwards,” he noted.

“We encourage you to please secure yourself by moving to higher ground and moving to safer ground. Make arrangements with your family members to find a safer place to be. So if you live, particularly in low-lying areas, starting from the most eastern end of the island, that would be anywhere in Portland and St. Thomas coming up to the Manchioneal area, and if you are in areas in East Rural St. Andrew, please, you’re going to be impacted, so take the necessary steps,” Mr. Holness advised.

He said the Government is making the necessary arrangements to respond quickly after the hurricane has passed, including ensuring that persons can access food and water.

“We have two weeks supply of fuel, our telecommunication services have been investing significantly in improving the resilience of their hard infrastructure and we expect that they should stand up,” the Prime Minister indicated.

“But if there is any disruption or a break, we are pursuing alternatives to ensure that we are still connected, particularly for government entities,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Mr. Holness encourages all citizens to pay close attention to the government information outlets and the traditional, credible, well-established media sources.

He informed that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will be working directly with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), which oversees the coordination and response of Jamaica’s emergency preparations.

“An important part of our emergency response is how we communicate with the public; and so JIS will be working directly, now, with ODPEM to ensure that it gets out the information. So the JIS will be your central source. But all the media that are here, are established, credible sources. They will be getting their information from the JIS. So there will be a consistent and even flow of information to the public to help you to make the decisions necessary for your safety,” Mr. Holness said.

Regarding curfews, he said the Government is not yet contemplating any limitation on movement.

“But as we get closer to the time, and we are able to assess the intensity of the hurricane, then we will make those decisions and that will be communicated,” Mr. Holness stated.

 

Contact: Latonya Linton

Release : JIS

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C&W Communications mobilising aid for those impacted by Beryl  

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MIAMI, Florida (July 3rd, 2021) – Leading telecoms provider C&W Communications, the operators of Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business and BTC, is mobilising resources and aid for those impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Beryl roared across the Caribbean Sea after bringing devastation to the Windward Islands as it made landfall on Carriacou as a Category 4 storm with 150mph sustained winds. It is the strongest known hurricane to pass through the Grenadines, according to data from NOAA that goes back to 1851.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with our Caribbean brothers and sisters, especially those in the Windward Islands, including Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, C&W Communications.

“We recognise the immense challenges they are facing, and we are deeply moved by the strength and resilience they have shown. Their courage and community spirit are truly inspiring, and we stand with them during this challenging time.”

The company has deployed resources through the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation to provide shelter and comfort to those most in need, and US$400,000 has been allocated to support disaster recovery efforts including a donation to the World Central Kitchen – a commitment that will provide immediate relief and long-term support.

“World Central Kitchen is known for its rapid response in delivering meals to those in need, especially during emergencies. Together, we will work to ensure that nutritious meals reach the most vulnerable individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” added Smidts.

To further help support impacted communities, the company is also providing free data for prepaid mobile users, and disconnections for postpaid users has been suspended.

“Our networks have taken a hit as is expected with such a formidable storm, but we will build back better and stronger. We have been operating in the Caribbean for more than a century and we have that experience, we are well equipped, and we stand ready to respond to this adversity,” said Smidts.

“And to the communities in the North Caribbean in Beryl’s path, especially Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, we also stand with you, and we are committed to providing support and assistance in any way we can.”

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