Anniversary Photo Exhibit: Elimination of Mother-to-Child-Transmission

Celebrating 120 Years of Solidarity in Advancing Health and Well-Being, Leaving No One Behind

PAHO has launched the Framework for elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and Chagas (EMTCT-PLUS). The goal is for the next generation to be free not only from HIV and syphilis, but also Chagas disease and hepatitis B.

An estimated 2,100 children in Latin America and the Caribbean are born with HIV or contract it from their mothers. But there is more, some 9,000 are born with Chagas disease; and 6,000 contract the hepatitis B virus.

PAHO's initiative proposes universal screening of all pregnant women and redoubling efforts to diagnose and treat pregnant women during prenatal check-ups, and that the babies of those who test positive be tested and treated, as well as mothers after delivery.

There are still important challenges to address in the neonatal period, but most importantly the continuum of care for women, pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.

"We must test all women at the first prenatal visit, before week 20, and in the third trimester of pregnancy, and immediately treat those positive, as well as their babies, to prevent transmission.”

Rodolfo Gómez Ponce de León
PAHO Regional Advisor for Sexual & Reproductive Health

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Anniversary Photo Exhibit: Elimination of Mother-to-Child-Transmission

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