Maldives becomes first country to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child disease transmission
The Maldives has become the first country in the world to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, earning official World Health Organization validation in October 2025. The milestone is remarkable not just for what was accomplished but where — across more than 200 inhabited islands scattered over 35,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives succeeded by integrating screening and treatment into routine prenatal care, reaching over 95% of pregnant women including migrants on remote atolls. The achievement offers a replicable model for small island nations worldwide.
