Timeline
The global community has committed itself to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a public health priority. The Triple EMTCT initiative focuses on a harmonized approach to improving health outcomes for mothers and children.
2010
First EMTCT goal set
The Pan American Health Organization Regional Validation Committee establishes EMTCT goal for 2015 (Resolution CD.50.R12).
WHO / Sergey Volkov
2012
Piloting and global consultation
Consultation is held with countries to establish criteria for EMTCT validation and a piloting exercise is conducted.
WHO/Mark Nieuwenhof
2014
First edition of the Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation
WHO publishes the criteria and process for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis and convenes a global consultation on validation assessment tools.
2015
Validated: Cuba
Cuba becomes the first ever country to be validated for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
WHO/PAHO
2016
Validated: Armenia (HIV), Belarus, Republic of Moldova (syphilis) and Thailand
WHO congratulates Belarus and Thailand on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis. WHO awards validation of EMTCT of HIV to Armenia. WHO awards validation of EMTCT of syphilis to the Republic of Moldova.
EPA/Z. Balogh
2016
WHO Regional Office for Africa holds first Regional Validation Team meeting
Regional Validation Team discusses developing criteria to recognize high burden countries on the Path to Elimination.
2017
Validated: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis
WHO congratulates Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Monserrat and Saint Kitts and Nevis on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
2017
Second edition of the Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation
The second edition includes new Path to Elimination criteria for high burden countries.
2018
Validated: Malaysia
WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
2019
Validated: Sri Lanka
WHO congratulates Sri Lanka on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
2019
Validated: Maldives
WHO congratulates the Maldives on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
WHO SEARO/Shamila Sharma
2020
First edition of Governance guidance is published
2021
Validated: Dominica
WHO congratulates Dominica on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
PAHO
2021
Third edition of the Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation
The third edition includes new criteria for the validation of EMTCT of hepatitis B virus.
2021
GVAC expands role
The Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) expands their role to provide advice to WHO on the validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus. The GVAC now addresses 'triple elimination'.
WHO / Martha Tadesse
2021
Path to Elimination: Botswana
Botswana becomes the first country to achieve the silver tier on the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
WHO/Letso Leipego
2022
Second edition of Governance guidance is published
The Governance guidance provides an overview of validation structures and responsibilities at national, regional and global levels.
2022
Validated: Oman
WHO congratulates Oman on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis - the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to be validated.
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
2023
Path to Elimination: Namibia
Namibia is awarded the bronze tier for on the path to eliminating (PTE) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, and the silver tier for PTE of MTCT of HBV.
WHO/Julie Pudlowski
2024
Validated: Belize, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
WHO congratulates Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on achieving the criteria for validation of EMTCT of HIV and syphilis.
PAHO
2024
GVAC expands role again
The Global Validation Advisory Committee incorporates validation of viral hepatitis B and C elimination and Path to Elimination into its advisory responsibilities.
WHO
2025
Botswana achieves gold tier
Botswana advances to gold tier status on the path to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a public health problem.
/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes-(hhs)/botswana-receives-gold-tier-on-the-path-to-elimination-of-hiv-at-78-wha-may-2025.tmb-549v.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=551a1b9f_1)
© WHO/Pierre Albouy
2025
First-ever guidance for Triple Elimination
The new guidance promotes an integrated, person-centred approach to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus and syphilis.
/global-hiv-hepatitis-and-stis-programmes-(hhs)/connect-initiative-in-lao-pdr_web.tmb-549v.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=fd75e61f_1)
© WHO/Enric Catala