Antenatal testing and treatment during pregnancy are critical to controlling mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Denmark is the first European country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis Health
Denmark has become the first European Union country to confirm the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this on Friday.
As the organization notes, in 2021–2024 Denmark achieved all the required indicators, including a low level of infection transmission and high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant women.
“This achievement demonstrates that with strong political commitment and sustained investment in primary health care and comprehensive maternal and child health services, countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis means that at least 95 percent of pregnant women are tested and treated in the country, and the number of new infections among infants does not exceed 50 per 100 thousand births annually.
“The success of Denmark, the first European Union country to achieve this important public health milestone, demonstrates the strength of its maternal health system and commitment to ensuring every pregnant woman gets the care she needs,” said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
The organization notes that the elimination of the transmission of HIV and syphilis is the result of decades of work by medical specialists and the development of the healthcare system. Strengthening the data system and laboratory capacity played an important role.
Denmark joins the list of 20 countries and territories that have previously eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B, or have received a certificate from WHO indicating that they are on track to elimination. These include Armenia, Belarus and Moldova.