According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Cuba has become the first country to get rid of the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child. As per World Health Organisation director-general Margaret Chan, it was among the "greatest public health achievements possible".

Ms Chan said it is a great achievement in the long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and is also a significant step in the direction of having an AIDS-free generation.

According to reports, success has been achieved as a result of improved access to tests, universal health coverage, and more attention to maternal care. Health authorities said there are less than 50 cases of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis or HIV per 100,000 live births in the country.

As per reports, a few cases are allowed to persist since antiretroviral treatment to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV is not completely effective. According to WHO and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the aim was to reduce transmission to a very low level.

As per a statement from the WHO, since 2010, health authorities have been making efforts to "ensure early access to prenatal care, HIV and syphilis testing for both pregnant women and their partners, treatment for women who test positive and their babies, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding".

PAHO director Carissa Etienne said universal access and health coverage led to this achievement in Cuba. She said Cuba's achievement is an inspiration for other countries to move forward in the direction of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.