The Maldives has made history in global public health, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has certified the country for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, while still keeping its 2019 recognition for stopping mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

With this recognition, the Maldives became the first country in the world to achieve ‘triple elimination’ status. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the country’s efforts, saying, “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 is possible. 

This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere working towards the same goal.”
Mother-to-child transmission is a major cause of lifelong infections worldwide.

In the WHO South-East Asia Region, preliminary 2024 estimates that over 23,000 pregnant women were diagnosed with syphilis, and more than 8,000 infants were born with congenital syphilis. Around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women require treatment to prevent passing the virus to their babies, and hepatitis B affects over 42 million people in the region.

Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge at the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, highlighted the Maldives’ strong commitment to universal health coverage. She said the country’s success is a model for improving maternal and newborn health, ensuring equitable care for all, including migrants.

The Maldives achieved this milestone through a comprehensive health system. Over 95% of pregnant women receive antenatal care, and nearly all are tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

The country has a strong immunisation system, with over 95% of newborns receiving the hepatitis B birth dose on time and full vaccine coverage against lifelong infections. As a result, no babies were born with HIV or syphilis in 2022 and 2023.

A national survey in 2023 also confirmed zero prevalence of hepatitis B among first-grade children, surpassing global elimination targets. These achievements are supported by universal health coverage, strong health policies, and an investment of over 10% of the national GDP in health.

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said, “This historic validation is a moment of immense pride for the Maldives and a reflection of our nation’s commitment to protecting mothers, children, and future generations.

Achieving triple elimination is not only a milestone for our health sector but also a pledge to continue investing in resilient, equitable, and high-quality health services.” With this accomplishment, the Maldives sets an inspiring example for other countries striving to improve maternal and child health while eliminating preventable diseases.