Malaysia feted for eliminating mother-to-child HIV and syphilis transmission

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (right) and Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah holding the certificate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis elimination on Monday, Oct 8, in Manila, the Philippines.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has become the first country in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific Region to be certified as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.  

WHO regional director for the Western Pacific Dr Shin Young-soo thanked Malaysia for its efforts over the past several years as parents can now ensure their babies are born free of HIV and syphilis and can have a healthy start to life.