The World Health Organization has officially validated Denmark as the first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis, marking a major milestone in maternal and child health prevention efforts. WHO certification confirms that Denmark successfully met all global elimination criteria between 2021 and 2024. The assessment followed detailed reviews conducted by WHO regional and global validation committees in 2025, which verified sustained low transmission rates alongside high prenatal screening and treatment coverage among pregnant women.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the achievement as a significant public health success, highlighting that consistent political commitment, strong primary health care systems, and integrated maternal services can effectively prevent vertical transmission of infectious…
