Maldives Reaches a Historic Public Health Milestone
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B, completing a landmark triple achievement alongside the country’s existing EMTCT validations for HIV and syphilis since 2019. Maldives becomes the first nation in the world to attain this triple elimination, underscoring what sustained political will and robust health investments can achieve for mothers and newborns.
What Triple EMTCT Means for Maldives and Beyond
Triple EMTCT means that, based on WHO’s validation, the transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B from mother to child has been eliminated to the extent that congenital infections are no longer occurring at a detectable rate. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted that this milestone offers hope and serves as a blueprint for other countries working toward similar goals. The achievement not only protects newborns but also reinforces the importance of universal health coverage and high-quality maternal and child health services.
Integrated Health Systems Drive Success
Maldives’ progress rests on a cohesive, integrated health system. Key factors include:
- High uptake of antenatal care, with more than 95% of pregnant women accessing services.
- Near-universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B during pregnancy.
- Immunization strength, with over 95% of newborns receiving timely hepatitis B birth doses and full vaccination schedules.
- Free antenatal care, vaccines, and diagnostic services for all residents, supported by universal health coverage and significant government investment (over 10% of GDP in health).
Measuring Impact: What the Data Showed
Data from recent years reveal the country’s remarkable impact: no babies were born with HIV or syphilis in 2022 and 2023, and a 2023 national survey showed zero hepatitis B infections among young children. These outcomes reflect a combination of extended screening, vaccination, and effective linkage to care, along with strong community engagement and health system resilience across the Maldives’ dispersed island geography.
Leadership and Collaboration Fueling the Milestone
Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim emphasized that achieving triple elimination is a pledge to the Maldivian people—an ongoing commitment to resilient, equitable, and high-quality health services that leave no one behind. The milestone was achieved through multi-sector collaboration, integrating government efforts with private providers, civil society, and international partners. As Dr. Catharina Boehme of WHO South-East Asia Regional Office noted, this validation marks a significant step toward healthier beginnings and hopeful futures for mothers and children.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
Even as the Maldives celebrates, it is clear that sustainment requires ongoing vigilance. Plans include digitizing health information, expanding targeted interventions for key populations and migrants, broadening private sector engagement, and maintaining rigorous laboratory quality management. WHO will continue technical support to preserve elimination gains while advancing broader maternal, child, and adolescent health goals.
Global Significance and Hope for the World
The Maldives’ triple EMTCT milestone offers a tangible, scalable model for health systems globally. It demonstrates that long-term investments—across policy, financing, service delivery, and community engagement—can transform public health outcomes. As WHO and Maldives look to the future, the focus remains clear: healthy beginnings lead to hopeful futures for every child, everywhere.
