Cuba eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has validated Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

In a statement on Tuesday, Director General, WHO, Dr Margaret Chan, said: 'This is a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDS-free generation.

'Eliminating transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements possible,' Chan noted.

Also speaking, Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, said: 'This is a celebration for Cuba and a celebration for children and families everywhere. It shows that ending the AIDS epidemic is possible and we expect Cuba to be the first of many countries coming forward to seek validation that they have ended their epidemics among children.'