Maldives Becomes First Country To Elite The Transmission Of HIV, Sifilis, And Hepatitis B From Mother To Child

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) validates Maldives in an effort to eliminate the transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child. The country also maintains achievements from 2019, namely to eliminate transmission of HIV and siphilic from mother to child.

Thus, Maldives is the first country in the world that has succeeded in tidal elimination', for the transmission of HIV, syphilic, and hepatitis B from mother to child. WHO admits that it really appreciates what the Maldives do to make public health more prosperous, especially mother and child.

"Maldives have shown that with strong political will and continued investment in maternal and child health, elimination of the transmission of this deadly disease from mother to child, along with the suffering it causes are possible," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, quoted from the WHO website, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Tedros said that Maldives' achievements provide hope for other countries to work hard to achieve the same goal.

"This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries around the world working towards the same goal," he added.

Over the years, Maldives has built an integrated and comprehensive approach to maternal and child health. More than 95% of pregnant women receive antennaal treatment, with nearly universal HIV, syphilic, and hepatitis B tests.

The country also has a strong immunization system, with more than 95 percent of newborns consistently receiving hepatitis B doses on time and full vaccine coverage, protecting infants from lifelong infections. As a result, no baby was born with HIV or syphilic in 2022 and 2023, while the 2023 national survey confirmed zero hepatitis B among children (one-school class), which this figure exceeded the elimination target.

Maldives' achievement is supported by universal health coverage, which guarantees free antenna, vaccine, and diagnostic services for all residents. It also reflects strong partnerships between governments, private healthcare providers, civil society, and international partners, who work together in filtering, services, outreach, and technical support.

The achievement of the elimination of three diseases is not only a milestone for our health sector, but also a government promise to our people that we will continue to invest in health services that are tough, fair and of high quality that leave no one behind, concluded Health Minister Maldives, YM Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.