The island nation of Sri Lanka has been able to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis through their public health programs.

The country has not reported any cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV since 2017, and its congenital syphilis cases has consistently been two per 100,000 live births – less than  fifty per 100,000 needed to be certified for elimination under the World Health Organisation.

This achievement makes them the third country in the South-East Asian region to reach this milestone, after Thailand and the Maldives.

“Sri Lanka’s achievement once again demonstrates the country’s commitment to public health and builds on the strong foundation of primary health care services that it laid several decades ago,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

“I would like to particularly commend the health workers for their persistent efforts which have hugely contributed to Sri Lanka achieving EMTCT,” the Regional Director said.

High quality maternal care and access to quality primary health services have been associated for the country’s achievement.