• The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone. • This accomplishment reflects Brazil’s long-standing commitment to universal and free access to health services through its Unified Health System (SUS), anchored in a strong primary health-care system and 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 Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. • “Brazil has shown that with sustained political commitment and equitable access to quality health services, every country can ensure that every child is born free of HIV and every mother receives the care she deserves.” The milestone was marked during a ceremony in Brasília, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha, and the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Dr Jarbas Barbosa, along with representatives from UNAIDS. • Meeting validation criteria Brazil met all the criteria for EMTCT validation, including reducing vertical transmission of HIV to below 2% and achieving over 95% coverage for prenatal care, routine HIV testing, and timely treatment for pregnant women living with HIV. • In addition to meeting the targets of the validation, Brazil demonstrated th

Article Summaries:

  • The World Health Organization has officially validated Brazil as having eliminated mother‑to‑child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, marking the country as the most populous in the Americas to reach this milestone. Brazil met all WHO criteria, including reducing vertical transmission to below 2 % and achieving over 95 % coverage of prenatal care, HIV testing, and timely treatment for pregnant women. The validation ceremony in Brasília was attended by President Lula, Health Minister Padilha, and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa. The achievement reflects Brazil’s long‑standing universal health system, strong primary‑care network, and commitment to human rights, and it is part of the broader EMTCT Plus Initiative aimed at eliminating several congenital infections across the region.

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