The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Denmark’s successful eradication of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) for both HIV and syphilis. This commendation acknowledges the nation’s persistent dedication to ensuring that every newborn enters the world free from these specific infections.
Attaining the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis represents a significant public health triumph for Denmark. This achievement underscores the fact that a robust political will, coupled with sustained financial input into primary healthcare and comprehensive maternal and child health initiatives, empowers nations to safeguard every expectant mother and infant from these diseases.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
This certification, following evaluations by the WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) in August 2025, substantiates Denmark’s fulfillment of all requisite benchmarks from 2021 through 2024. These benchmarks included maintaining exceptionally low transmission rates and ensuring widespread access to prenatal testing and treatment for pregnant individuals.
“As it stands as the inaugural European Union member state to reach this public health milestone, Denmark’s accomplishment stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of its maternal healthcare infrastructure and its enduring commitment to providing all pregnant women with the necessary medical attention,” stated Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “The definition of elimination entails the testing and treatment of a minimum of 95 out of every 100 pregnant women, alongside the restriction of new infant infections to fewer than 50 per 100,000 births, consistently year after year. Denmark has successfully met these stringent criteria through its advanced antenatal care protocols, dependable data management systems, and a profound respect for women’s rights. We are committed to supporting Denmark’s ongoing endeavors toward complete triple elimination, which will incorporate the addition of hepatitis B.”
The attainment of this significant objective is the culmination of decades of unwavering commitment from healthcare and public health practitioners, bolstered by resilient healthcare systems and universal health coverage, which encompasses integrated screening procedures during pregnancy. Denmark’s sophisticated data repositories, formidable laboratory capabilities, and high adherence to human rights standards have been instrumental in achieving this success.
“This recognition from the WHO is a moment of immense pride for Denmark and the direct outcome of many years of diligent effort by our healthcare professionals, midwives, and public health teams to guarantee that every expectant mother receives the essential screening and care she requires,” commented Sophie Løhde, Minister for the Interior and Health, Denmark. “Denmark’s universal healthcare system – founded on the principle of equitable access for all – has served as the bedrock of this achievement. Being the first country within the European Union to achieve this benchmark is both an honor and a profound responsibility. We aspire for our experiences to serve as an inspiration and a source of support for other nations embarking on their elimination journeys, and we eagerly anticipate completing this process with the inclusion of hepatitis B to achieve comprehensive triple elimination.”
The experiences of Denmark vividly illustrate the profound impact achievable when rights-based policies, high-caliber services, and robust data infrastructure converge, thereby establishing a compelling exemplar and a significant motivator for other countries aiming to enhance their EMTCT programs. Furthermore, the nation is progressing towards the validation of hepatitis B virus elimination. The WHO is actively collaborating with Denmark in advancing the validation process for triple elimination.
Denmark now joins the ranks of 22 other countries and territories that have been validated by the WHO for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B virus, or have been certified as being on the path toward elimination. These include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Belarus, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Montserrat, Namibia, Oman, Republic of Moldova, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Thailand.
