Maldives Eliminates Triple HIV/Syphilis/Hepatitis B Transmission
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Maldives Achieves world-First ‘Triple Elimination’ of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B
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Published October 13, 2025, at 22:40:03 GMT
Landmark Achievement: A World First
On October 13, 2025, the World Health organization (WHO) officially validated the maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B. This milestone builds upon the country’s earlier validation in 2019 for EMTCT of both HIV and syphilis, making the Maldives the first nation worldwide to achieve ‘triple elimination’ WHO Official Declaration.
“Maldives has shown that with strong political will and sustained investment in maternal and child health, elimination of mother-to-child transmission of these deadly diseases, and the suffering they bring, is possible,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in the official announcement. ”This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere working towards the same goal.”
The Impact of Mother-to-Child Transmission
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) represents a significant global health challenge, leading to millions of infections annually. These infections can have devastating consequences for both mothers and children. The WHO estimates that in 2024, within the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, over 23,000 pregnant women where infected with syphilis, resulting in more than 8,000 infants born with congenital syphilis WHO Regional office Data. Approximately 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women required treatment to prevent transmission to their babies, and hepatitis B continues to affect over 42 million people in the region.
Without intervention, these infections can lead to chronic illness, disability, and even death. Eliminating MTCT is therefore a critical step towards improving maternal and child health outcomes globally.
Maldives’ Success: A Model for Others
Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, highlighted the Maldives’ achievement as ”a testament to its unwavering commitment towards universal health coverage, to provide quality and equitable care across its dispersed islands to all, including migrants.” This success is particularly noteworthy given the geographical challenges of providing healthcare across the Maldives’ numerous islands.
The Maldives’ strategy focused on several key interventions, including:
- Antenatal Screening: Routine screening of all pregnant women for HIV, syphilis, and