Maldives Becomes First Nation to Achieve Triple Elimination

In a significant public health milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the Maldives for successfully eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B, while also upholding its previous validation (in 2019) for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.

Consequently, the Maldives becomes the first nation globally to attain ‘triple elimination’.

"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 Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

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“This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere working towards the same goal.” Mother-to-child transmission results in infections impacting millions globally. In the WHO South-East Asia Region specifically, preliminary estimates suggest that in 2024, over 23,000 pregnant women were diagnosed with syphilis, and more than 8,000 infants were born with congenital syphilis.

Approximately 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women needed  clinical treatment to avert transmission to their children, while hepatitis B continues to impact over 42 million individuals in the Region.

“Maldives’ achievement is a testament to its unwavering commitment towards universal health coverage, to provide quality and equitable care across its dispersed islands to all, including migrants.” said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, and WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.