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| WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS Launch Regional Roadmap to Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B |
Every child deserves a healthy start to life free from preventable infections. In a major step towards this goal, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UNAIDS have launched the Regional Roadmap for the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in the Asia-Pacific Region for the 2024–2030 period.
The roadmap provides comprehensive guidance to strengthen national strategies and operational plans aimed at eliminating the transmission of these three diseases from mothers to their children. It is a crucial initiative with only five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Regional Progress and Call for Action
The roadmap evaluates progress made since 2018 in 21 focus countries across Asia-Pacific. It emphasizes the need for universal antenatal screening, prompt treatment, safe delivery and feeding practices, and infant prophylaxis and vaccination to eliminate vertical transmission.
Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives have already achieved dual elimination of HIV and syphilis, and are now preparing for hepatitis B validation. Bhutan, Cambodia, China, and Mongolia are also making strong strides, nearing or staying on track toward elimination goals.
While progress is evident in several nations, others still face challenges in reaching these targets. The roadmap urges stronger support from global and regional health stakeholders to help these countries overcome barriers and accelerate progress.
According to UNAIDS, nearly 72,000 child HIV infections have been averted in the region since 2015 through mother-to-child transmission prevention services. However, in 2023 alone, around 10,000 children were newly infected.
“Around 30 children contract HIV every day in this region,” said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia. “No child should begin life with a disease we can prevent.”
India’s Bengal Takes Bold Step
In a significant development aligned with the regional roadmap, the Government of West Bengal has announced the rollout of its own triple elimination programme targeting HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis through prevention of vertical transmission.
The initiative follows a successful pilot project launched in April 2024 across four health districts Cooch Behar, South 24 Parganas, Diamond Harbour, and Rampurhat with technical support from the WHO. Encouraged by its success, the state is now scaling the programme to all districts starting this month.
A senior health official confirmed that capacity building has been completed in all districts, and preparations are in full swing for statewide implementation.
“By introducing this project, we are hopeful of eliminating the three transmissible diseases from the state within the WHO target,” the official said on World Health Day.
Doctors explained that prevention begins with antenatal screening of pregnant women for all three infections. If a woman is found to be infected, medical intervention will follow immediately to prevent transmission to the newborn. A special task force has also been formed to ensure proper replication and implementation of the programme across the state.
Roadmap’s Strategic Priorities
The newly launched roadmap identifies seven strategic priorities to guide national efforts:
- Policy leadership and commitment
- Universal access to services
- Integration with reproductive, maternal, and child health systems
- Community engagement
- Strengthened monitoring and evaluation
- Operational guidance across implementation stages
- Human rights and social protection mechanisms
These priorities aim to help countries move from initial planning to full implementation, validation, and long-term sustainability.
WHO’s Regional Commitment
Speaking at the roadmap launch, Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, applauded the achievements across the region and underscored the urgency of continued action.
“Over the past few decades, the Asia-Pacific region has made excellent progress in protecting children and their families from these three threats,” said Wazed. She attributed the gains to the dedication of governments, donors, health workers, and researchers.
Wazed also highlighted the ongoing risks faced by children and adolescents, urging the integration of services across sectors to improve outcomes and reach.
She echoed the World Health Day theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” emphasizing that the triple elimination effort perfectly reflects this vision and the region’s commitment to ensuring healthy lives for future generations.