Malaysia Keeps WHO Validation for Eliminating Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis Transmission

Malaysia has retained its World Health Organisation validation for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis after an assessment of achievements from 2021 to 2024. The Ministry of Health noted that the nation first received this validation in 2018, becoming the first WHO Western Pacific Region country to do so. Throughout the review period, screening of pregnant women for both infections stayed above 95%, and antiretroviral therapy coverage for HIV-positive expectant mothers reached about 99%.

The 2024 mother-to-child HIV transmission rate was 1.52%, under the WHO goal of less than 2%, while congenital syphilis incidence was 10 cases per 100,000 live births, well below the 50-case elimination threshold. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad accepted the certificate at the 77th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila. Officials attributed the achievement to sustained effort by healthcare workers, government agencies, private providers, the Malaysian AIDS Council, civil-society groups and the community, and pledged ongoing focus on early detection and treatment.