In a historic global health milestone, the Maldives has become the first country in the world to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October 2025.
This remarkable achievement signifies that the Maldives has successfully and sustainably prevented the transmission of these three major infections from mothers to newborns — a feat that reflects decades of investment in maternal healthcare, immunization, and disease surveillance.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the Maldives’ accomplishment, calling it “a powerful example of what strong health systems and universal care can achieve.”
The island nation’s success is built on 95% antenatal care coverage, universal testing for pregnant women, timely treatment, and mandatory hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth.
Beyond being a national victory, the Maldives’ model offers a replicable framework for other nations striving toward disease elimination through universal testing, early treatment, and comprehensive immunization programs.
With this validation, the Maldives has not only set a global benchmark in public health but also reaffirmed the transformative potential of universal healthcare access and preventive medicine.
