Malaysia has received the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, becoming the first country in the Western Pacific region to do so.

In a press release, the WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said this could not have been achieved without Malaysia’s strong commitment to ensuring quality and affordable health services is available to all women, children and families.

A certificate of elimination was presented to Health Minister Dzulkely Ahmad during the Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines, the WHO said.

The WHO noted that Malaysia was among the world’s early adopters of national prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in maternal and child health services.

“The country started antenatal HIV screening in 1998. Today, antenatal testing and treatment for HIV and syphilis are provided free of charge, and virtually all women have access to quality health services including contraception and births assisted by skilled attendants.

“As a result, the number of babies born with HIV or syphilis has reduced to the level compatible with global elimination criteria. The sustainability of services is ensured through full financial integration into the annual budget of the Family Health Programme,” the WHO said.

According to the press release, the assessment was done by the by a Regional Validation Team convened by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, jointly with WHO Malaysia, Unicef East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, and UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific.

Their findings were reviewed and confirmed by the Global Validation Advisory Committee.

It notes that treatments to prevent mother-to-child transmission is not 100 percent effective.

Thus, elimination of transmission is defined to mean that transmission is reduced to such a low level that it no longer constitutes a public health problem.

The criteria for validation includes ensuring that at least 95 percent of pregnant women receive at least one antenatal visit, tested for HIV and syphilis, and at least 95 percent of infected pregnant women receive adequate treatment – and maintain these standards for at least two years.

In additions, countries must ensure that for at least one year, there are fewer than 50 new paediatric HIV or syphilis infections due mother-to-child transmissions per 100 000 live births.

HIV mother-to-child transmission rate of less than five percent in breastfeeding populations and less than two percent in non-breastfeeding populations.