In a major milestone for global health, the Maldives has become the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially validated the achievement, calling it a “historic milestone” in the fight against infectious diseases.
“This shows that with strong political will and consistent investment in maternal and child health, countries can eliminate these deadly infections,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The Maldives offers hope for others striving toward the same goal.”
Mother-to-child transmission remains a major challenge worldwide, especially in lower-income regions. In the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, more than 23,000 pregnant women were estimated to have syphilis in 2024, and over 8,000 infants were born with congenital syphilis. Around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women required treatment to prevent transmission to their babies, while hepatitis B continues to affect over 42 million people in the region.
Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, said the Maldives’ success reflects a deep national commitment to universal health coverage and equity. “The Maldives’ achievement is a major step toward healthy beginnings and hopeful futures for mothers and newborns,” she said. “It proves that small nations can lead the way in delivering quality health care for everyone.”
Building a Health System That Reaches Everyone
The Maldives’ strategy centers on integrated maternal and child health services. Over 95% of pregnant women in the country receive antenatal care, which includes testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Immunization coverage is equally strong, with nearly all newborns receiving the hepatitis B birth dose on time.
The results speak for themselves: no babies were born with HIV or syphilis in 2022 or 2023, and a 2023 national survey found zero hepatitis B among school-age children. These achievements are supported by universal health coverage, which provides free vaccines, testing, and maternal care for all residents, including migrants. The Maldives also invests more than 10% of its GDP in health.
“This validation is a moment of immense pride for our country,” said Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim. “It reflects our government’s promise to invest in high-quality, equitable health services that protect every mother and child.”
A Partnership-Driven Success Story
The milestone is the result of collaboration between the government, private health providers, community organizations, and international partners. Together, they worked on screening programs, public health campaigns, and service delivery across the Maldives’ many islands.
“The Maldives’ triple elimination shows how strong health systems and community-based care can transform public health outcomes,” said Ms. Payden, WHO Representative to the Maldives. “WHO is proud to have supported this journey and will continue to help sustain these gains.”
Looking Ahead
To keep progress on track, the Maldives plans to strengthen digital health systems, improve laboratory quality management, expand services for key populations and migrants, and deepen collaboration with the private sector. WHO will continue providing technical support as the country builds on its success in maternal, child, and adolescent health.
The Maldives may be small, but its public health achievement is sending a big message: eliminating preventable infections is not only possible—it’s happening.
