Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a historic global health milestone, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized the Maldives as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, while maintaining its earlier success in eliminating HIV and syphilis. This remarkable achievement makes the Maldives the world’s first nation to achieve what WHO calls “triple elimination.”

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the Maldives for its strong political will and long-term commitment to maternal and child health. “The Maldives has shown that with strong leadership and continuous investment, it is possible to eliminate these deadly infections and the suffering they cause,” he said. “This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere.”

According to WHO data, mother-to-child transmission of infections like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B continues to affect millions of lives globally. In the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, provisional estimates from 2024 show that over 23,000 pregnant women had syphilis, more than 8,000 infants were born with congenital syphilis, and 25,000 HIV-positive mothers required treatment to protect their babies from infection. Hepatitis B remains a major public health issue, affecting over 42 million people in the region.

Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, commended the Maldives for its dedication to universal health coverage. “The Maldives’ achievement reflects its strong commitment to providing equal and quality healthcare across its islands, ensuring no one is left behind,” she said. “This milestone is a step towards healthy beginnings and hopeful futures for mothers and children.”

Over the years, the Maldives has built a comprehensive healthcare system focused on maternal and child health. More than 95% of pregnant women in the country receive antenatal care and undergo universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The country also maintains a robust immunization program, with over 95% of newborns receiving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, preventing lifelong infections.

As a result of these efforts, no babies were born with HIV or syphilis in 2022 and 2023, and a 2023 national survey confirmed zero cases of hepatitis B among young children. These results surpass global elimination targets and highlight the country’s outstanding public health system.

The Maldives’ success is backed by its universal health coverage policy, which ensures free access to vaccines, antenatal care, and diagnostic services for all residents, including migrants. The government invests more than 10% of its GDP in healthcare, reinforcing its long-standing dedication to protecting public health.

Maldives Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim expressed pride in the nation’s achievement. “This historic validation is a moment of great pride for our country and reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting mothers, children, and future generations,” he said. “Achieving triple elimination is not only a milestone for our health sector but also a promise that we will continue to provide high-quality healthcare for all.”

The Maldives’ success story stands as a powerful example of how consistent investment, strong leadership, and universal healthcare access can create lasting change and eliminate preventable diseases for generations to come.

#Global