The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified the Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B, building on its previous 2019 certification for the elimination of HIV and syphilis. This remarkable accomplishment makes the Maldives the first country in the world to achieve “triple elimination,” marking an extraordinary milestone in maternal and child health.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recognized this achievement as evidence of the strength of a political will and sustained investment in healthcare. He claimed that the Maldives has demonstrated that through the long-term dedication to maternal and child health, diseases that have been the source of immeasurable suffering can be eradicated all over the world. He added that this success provides hope and encouragement to other nations pursuing similar goals.
Mother-to-child transmission of infections remains a major global health issue. Provisional estimates of the WHO South-East Asia region showed that over 23,000 pregnant women were infected with syphilis and that over 8,000 children were born with congenital syphilis. Approximately 25,000 HIV-positive expectant women need treatment to reduce the transmission of the infection to children, and hepatitis B is ongoing as it seeks to treat more than 42 million individuals in the area.
Dr. Catharina Boehme, a Chief Officer in the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, praised the Maldives for its consistent commitment to universal health coverage. She noted that the country’s achievements in delivering quality care to its widely spread islands, including migrant populations, demonstrate a high level of equity and access. She said that the accomplishment was a milestone in achieving a healthy start and a promising future for mothers and children.
The success of the Maldives is due to a well-coordinated approach to maternal and childcare services. In the country, nearly all pregnant women (more than 95%) access antenatal care, and almost all women are screened for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The immunization program is also extremely strong in the country, with over 95% of newborns receiving a timely dose of hepatitis B at birth and having complete vaccines. These regular interventions have had miraculous results, as in 2022 and 2023, no newborns were born with HIV or syphilis, and a 2023 national survey reported no new cases of hepatitis B in school-aged children, exceeding the WHO elimination targets.
This has been possible due to the well-established system of universal health coverage in the Maldives, which ensures free antenatal services, immunization, and diagnostic testing for all residents, including migrants. Healthcare is more than 10% of the GDP spent by the government, and this provides accessibility and sustainability. According to the Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the validation was a national pride, and this demonstrated the commitment of the Maldives to safeguard mothers, children, and future generations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to continue building resilient, equitable, and high-quality healthcare that leaves no one behind.
This success has also emphasized the role of cooperation between the government, the private sector, civil society, and the international partners. They have developed effective screening, community outreach, and technical support systems. The WHO Representative of the Maldives, Ms. Payden, commented that the success of the country shows how steady investment, innovation, and care in communities can change the health outcomes of people.
In the future, the Maldives will continue to experience development by harmonizing digital health systems, improving the quality of laboratories, increasing specific interventions to the target groups and migrants, and improving involvement of the private sector. WHO will remain in these activities to achieve long-term elimination and promote the overall objectives of maternal, child, and adolescent health in the nation.
References: World Health Organization. Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Published 13 October 2025. Accessed 14 October 2025. Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
