Maldives first to stop mother-baby spread of HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis

Maldives has become the first nation to stop the spread of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis-B from mothers to their babies.

WHO announced that Maldives has eradicated infections such as HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis-B being passed down to their babies. WHO had recognized Maldives stopping the spread of HIV and syphilis from mothers to their babies in 2019.

Maldives achieved the feat by WHO recognizing the nation for stopping the spread of Hepatitis-B. 

WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Maldives on this achievement, stating that Maldives' political will is strong in bettering the health of mothers and babies and that the nation has invested well.

"This historical achievement will only bring hope and strength to the nations working towards this goal," said the Director General.

Millions of babies have genetic diseases passed down to them yearly from their mothers.

As per WHO's statistics in East Asia alone, when 23,000 pregnant women gave birth, 8,000 newborns were struck with syphilis. 25,000 pregnant women with HIV who gave birth passed it down as well. 42 million people have Hepatitis-B in the region as well.

WHO South-East Asia Regional Office Officer-in Charge Dr. Catharina Boehme said, "Maldives’ achievement is a testament to its unwavering commitment towards universal health coverage, to provide quality and equitable care across its dispersed islands to all, including migrants."