The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Thailand declined from 10.3 per cent in 2003 to 1.91 per cent in 2015, thus meeting all elimination of mother-to-child transmission criteria for both HIV and congenital syphilis in accordance with global targets. Last year, on June 30, 2015, Cuba became the first country globally to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. The WHO also applauded Armenia and the Republic of Moldova for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis respectively, terming it a remarkable achievement. According to WHO, eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is key to the global effort to combat sexually transmitted infections and to end AIDS by 2030. “It is immensely encouraging to see countries succeed in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of these two infections,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan at the announcement.

Source: Standard Digital June 12, 2016 07:07 UTC