SYLLABUS

GS-I Prelims: Current events of national and international importance.

GS-3: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: The World Health Organisation has certified Denmark as the first European Union (EU) country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis through sustained maternal health interventions.

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• The validation followed assessment by the WHO Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee in August 2025.

• The certification confirms that Denmark met all required global targets between 2021 and 2024.

• The country maintained very low transmission rates and ensured high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women.

• The WHO defines elimination as testing and treating at least 95% of pregnant women and keeping new infant infections below fifty per one lakh births.

• Denmark achieved this milestone through universal health coverage, strong antenatal care, reliable laboratory systems and rights-based maternal health policies.

• Denmark is now working towards triple elimination by adding hepatitis B to HIV and syphilis elimination targets.

• Denmark joins 22 other countries and territories validated by WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B virus, or certified on the path to elimination.

• Twenty-two countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Belarus, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Montserrat, Namibia, Oman, Republic of Moldova, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Thailand.

About EMTCT of HIV and Syphilis

• In 2014, the World Health Organisation released the first edition of Global Guidance on Criteria and Processes for Validation: Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and Syphilis.

• In 2015, the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) for EMTCT was established, enabling Member States to apply for validation after achieving elimination targets.

• Countries can be validated for EMTCT of HIV and/or syphilis when mother-to-child transmission is reduced to levels where these diseases are no longer considered a public health threat.

• In 2021, the WHO updated its guidance under the Triple Elimination framework to include validation criteria for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), allowing Member States to seek validation for the Triple Elimination of HIV, syphilis, and HBV.

About Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, particularly CD4+ T cells, gradually weakening the body’s defences against infections.

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

• HIV spreads through infected body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions.

• HIV can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

• HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, shaking hands or sharing food.

• There is no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables people to live near-normal life expectancy when sustained.

• HIV can be diagnosed through rapid diagnostic tests and confirmatory testing under national algorithms.

About Syphilis

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria (Treponema pallidum) and spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person.

• It is treatable with antibiotics; however, if left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe complications such as blindness and damage to the brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system.

About Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long-term).

• It can spread through contact with infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby.

• Hepatitis B can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. The vaccine is usually given soon after birth, with boosters a few weeks later. It offers nearly complete protection against the virus.

Source:
WHO
WHO
Cleveland Clinic
WHO
WHO