Donation of Computers Supports Jamaica’s Efforts to Maintain EMTCT Status

Kingston, Jamaica, 22 May 2026 (PAHO) - Two years after Jamaica achieved the major public health milestone of eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, efforts are now focused on sustaining those hard-won gains through stronger surveillance, monitoring, and maternal and child health systems.

Jamaica was validated in May 2024 for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis after years of work to protect mothers and babies from preventable infection. However, maintaining that certification requires continuous investment in the systems that support timely diagnosis, quality data management, surveillance, monitoring, and coordinated maternal and child health services.

In support of that work, and with assistance from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, through the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, Jamaica's Family Health Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness on Thursday received 10 all-in-one desktop computers during a handover ceremony held at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Jamaica (PAHO/WHO) Country Office in Kingston on 20 May 2026. The initiative was made possible under the "Strengthening the EMTCT Plus Strategy with Maternal and Child Health Services" program, which is providing assistance across CARICOM Member States.

The computers are expected to strengthen the Ministry of Health and Wellness' capacity for monitoring, reporting, surveillance, and coordination within maternal and child health program, while improving the efficiency, timeliness, and reliability of program data systems that are critical to sustaining EMTCT gains.

In his comments, High Commissioner of India to Jamaica, His Excellency Mr. Mayank Joshi, noted that the initiative reflects the strong development partnership between India and Jamaica and the shared commitment to strengthening healthcare systems. "We are proud to join PAHO/WHO in handing over these computers to the Family Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This is an important project, and I commend PAHO/WHO for spearheading an initiative that will strengthen timely data collection and monitoring in support of EMTCT services in Jamaica".

The interventions implemented under the Caribbean collaboration include the strengthening of primary prevention and treatment services for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and Chagas disease in endemic settings, while scaling up those for HIV and syphilis within the context and framework of maternal and child health services. In general, the overall objective of the project is to further strengthen services and systems critical to sustaining EMTCT where it has already been achieved and supporting countries still working toward validation.

In accepting the equipment on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Julia Rowe-Porter, Acting Director of the Family Health Unit in the Health Services Planning and Integration Branch, said, "This handover represents an important investment in the teams and systems that support these efforts. The equipment will help improve how we collect and manage information, strengthen program monitoring and reporting, and ultimately enhance service delivery to the communities and populations we serve. Contributions like these demonstrate the value of collaboration in strengthening Jamaica's health system."

PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica, Mr. Ian Stein, said sustaining Jamaica's EMTCT status will depend on continued investment in the systems that support mothers and children. "Jamaica's EMTCT validation was a significant achievement but maintaining that status requires continuous investment in the systems that protect mothers and children every day".