Overview: A landmark public health milestone
The Maldives has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B, joining its earlier EMTCT validations for HIV and syphilis since 2019. This makes the Maldives the world’s first country to achieve triple EMTCT, a feat that underscores the impact of sustained political will, robust health systems, and comprehensive care for mothers and newborns.
What this triple elimination means
EMTCT is more than a statistical achievement; it represents a real reduction in infections that can have lifelong consequences. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, 2024 preliminary data show tens of thousands of pregnant women affected by syphilis and thousands of babies born with congenital syphilis, alongside thousands of HIV-positive pregnancies requiring treatment and millions living with hepatitis B. Maldives’ success demonstrates that with universal health coverage and targeted interventions, transmission risks can be dramatically reduced or eliminated.
Health systems that support EMTCT
Maldives’ approach blends universal health coverage with integrated maternal and child health services. Key elements include:
- High coverage of antenatal care, with routine testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
- A strong immunization program ensuring timely hepatitis B birth doses and complete vaccination schedules for newborns.
- Free access to antenatal care, vaccines, and diagnostic services for all residents and migrants alike.
- Policy and financial commitments that allocate more than 10% of GDP to health, enabling sustained program delivery.
As a result, the country recorded zero HIV or syphilis births in 2022 and 2023, and a 2023 national survey showed zero hepatitis B among young children in the first grade, surpassing elimination targets.
Statements of support and partnership
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, hailed the milestone as a powerful reminder that eliminating mother-to-child transmission is possible with unwavering resolve. WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, represented by Dr. Catharina Boehme, emphasized that universal health coverage and strategic collaboration were central to the Maldives’ success. The Minister of Health, H.E. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, noted that achieving triple elimination reflects a government pledge to sustaining resilient, equitable health services that reach everyone, including migrants.
How the achievement was made possible
Evidence-based policy, integrated care, and partnerships drove the accomplishment. The Maldives engaged government agencies, private health providers, civil society, and international partners in a coordinated program of screening, outreach, and technical support. This collaborative model enabled widespread testing, effective treatment where needed, and reliable data to guide ongoing efforts.
Looking forward: Sustaining momentum and expanding impact
Even after a triple EMTCT validation, the Maldives is committed to maintaining gains and expanding impact. Plans include digital health information systems for better tracking, targeted interventions for key populations and migrants, stronger private sector engagement and reporting, and ongoing advances in laboratory quality management. WHO will continue its technical partnership to ensure sustained elimination, with the broader aim of improving maternal, child, and adolescent health beyond EMTCT goals.
Conclusion
The Maldives’ triple elimination of EMTCT signals a transformative moment for global health: with political will, strong health systems, and inclusive care, the transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B from mother to child can be prevented. This milestone offers a hopeful blueprint for other nations striving to protect mothers and their children while moving toward universal health coverage and healthier futures.
