Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Maldives Becomes the First Country to Wipe Out Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B

A landmark achievement in the health landscape of Maldives is that it has become the first country to a complete elimination of mother-to-child transmission of <span>hepatitis B</span>, <span>HIV</span> and <span>syphilis</span>. The World Health Organization (WHO) also issued a statement regarding the same, and called it to be the first country to achieve 'triple elimination'. 

"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, and the suffering they bring, is possible,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere working towards the same goal.”

<h2>What Is Mother-to-child Transmission?</h2>

Mother-to-child transmission leads to infections that affect millions worldwide. In the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, the estimates indicate that more than 23,000 pregnant women had syphilis and over 8000 infants were born with congenital syphilis. The WHO data also provides that around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women required treatment to prevent transmission to their babies, while hepatitis B continues to affect more than 42 million people in the region.

Mother-to-child transmission or MTCT is the transfer of an infection from a mother to her child, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding. This process is also called vertical transmission. It is a major way of spreading diseases like HIB, syphilis and Hepatis B, all three, which have been eliminated in Maldives. 

<h2>How Can You Eliminate These Diseases From Being Spread Through <span rel="noindex">Mother to Child Transmission</span>?</h2>

MTCT of HIV could be reduced to less than 1% with antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Without intervention, the transmission rate is between 15% to 45%. 

Congenital syphilis can be devastating, but it could be treated with penicillin during early pregnancy. It can also prevent adverse outcomes and allow the fetus to be cured. 

Hepatitis B could also be transmitted through mother to child transmission, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiatives to achieve the triple elimination of mother to child transmission for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. 

Maldives also over the years integrated this approach to maternal and child health. They also were able to give 95% of pregnant mothers antenatal care, with nearly universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The immunization system also geared up with 95% of newborns consistently receiving timely dose of hepatitis B at birth, and full vaccinations that protected the infants from lifelong infections. 

As a result, in 2022 and 2023, no babies were born with HIV and syphilis, and a 2023 national survey confirmed zero hepatitis B among young children, which had surpassed the elimination targets. 

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

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A landmark achievement in the health landscape of Maldives is that it has become the first country to a complete elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis. The World Health Organization (WHO) also issued a statement regarding the same, and called it to be the first country to achieve 'triple elimination'. "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, and the suffering they bring, is possible,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This historic milestone provides hope and inspiration for countries everywhere working towards the same goal.”What Is Mother-to-child Transmission?Mother-to-child transmission leads to infections that affect millions worldwide. In the WHO South-East Asia Region alone, the estimates indicate that more than 23,000 pregnant women had syphilis and over 8000 infants were born with congenital syphilis. The WHO data also provides that around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women required treatment to prevent transmission to their babies, while hepatitis B continues to affect more than 42 million people in the region.Mother-to-child transmission or MTCT is the transfer of an infection from a mother to her child, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding. This process is also called vertical transmission. It is a major way of spreading diseases like HIB, syphilis and Hepatis B, all three, which have been eliminated in Maldives. How Can You Eliminate These Diseases From Being Spread Through Mother to Child Transmission?MTCT of HIV could be reduced to less than 1% with antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Without intervention, the transmission rate is between 15% to 45%. Congenital syphilis can be devastating, but it could be treated with penicillin during early pregnancy. It can also prevent adverse outcomes and allow the fetus to be cured. Hepatitis B could also be transmitted through mother to child transmission, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiatives to achieve the triple elimination of mother to child transmission for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Maldives also over the years integrated this approach to maternal and child health. They also were able to give 95% of pregnant mothers antenatal care, with nearly universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The immunization system also geared up with 95% of newborns consistently receiving timely dose of hepatitis B at birth, and full vaccinations that protected the infants from lifelong infections. As a result, in 2022 and 2023, no babies were born with HIV and syphilis, and a 2023 national survey confirmed zero hepatitis B among young children, which had surpassed the elimination targets. "This historic validation is a moment of immense pride for the Maldives and a reflection of our nation’s steadfast commitment to protecting mothers, children and future generations,” said H.E Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Health, Maldives.