Malé: In a global public health milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified the Maldives as the first country in the world to achieve the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis- a feat now known as ‘triple elimination.’
The WHO announced that the Maldives, which was previously validated in 2019 for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, has now added hepatitis B to the list.
“The 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,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Today, the #Maldives became the first country in the world to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B: https://t.co/jey5Qw4VaW
This is a major public health milestone that will have a lasting impact on the lives of current and… pic.twitter.com/lW9NNx3SYP
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 13, 2025
Mother-to-child transmission remains a major global concern. In the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, provisional data from 2024 indicate that over 23,000 pregnant women were infected with syphilis, more than 8,000 infants were born with congenital syphilis, and around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women required treatment to prevent infection in their babies. Hepatitis B continues to affect over 42 million people in the region.
Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge at the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, praised the achievement as a crucial step toward healthier futures. “This landmark feat is an important step towards ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ by ending preventable deaths and prioritizing long-term well-being,” she said.
Over the past decade, the Maldives has built a strong, integrated approach to maternal and child health. More than 95 percent of pregnant women in the country receive antenatal care, with near-universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The nation’s immunization coverage is among the highest in the world, with over 95 percent of newborns receiving timely hepatitis B vaccinations.
Congratulations #Maldives 🇲🇻 for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of #hepatitisB!
The country is also maintaining
🏆 Elimination of mother-to-child transmission HIV
🏆 Elimination of mother-to-child transmission syphilis
(validated in 2019)This historic achievement… pic.twitter.com/1L90LDVDMj
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 13, 2025
National data shows that no babies were born with HIV or syphilis in 2022 and 2023, while a 2023 survey confirmed zero hepatitis B infection among first-grade children, surpassing the WHO’s elimination targets. These gains have been supported by the country’s universal health coverage policy, which provides free antenatal care, vaccines, and diagnostic services for all residents, including migrants.
“This historic validation is a moment of immense pride for the Maldives and a reflection of our nation’s steadfast commitment to protecting mothers, children, and future generations,” said Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.
WHO Representative to the Maldivto have partnered with the Government of Maldives and will continue to support efforts to sustain this success,” she said.es, Payden, commended the achievement as proof of what long-term commitment can accomplish. “The Maldives’ triple elimination stands as an example of how sustained investment in health systems, innovation, and community-based care can change the course of public health. WHO is proud
