British News Agency

Brazilian President Lula da Silva stated that his country is the first in South America and the largest worldwide to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Silva said, “This is a great source of pride for Brazil and for the SUS; as the first country in South America and the largest in the world, we have eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”

Silva noted that the achievement was made possible through “timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and safe childbirth, making it possible to secure a better future for our children.”

Lula also emphasized the strength of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) and thanked Dr. Drauzio Varella and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros for their contributions to HIV awareness and the fight against the disease.