Malaysia retains WHO validation for eliminating mother-to-child HIV, syphilis transmission

Malaysia has retained WHO validation for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis from 2021 to 2024, first recognised in 2018.

Over 95 per cent of pregnant women were screened for HIV and syphilis, with a 99 per cent antiretroviral treatment rate among those living with HIV.

The Ministry of Health continues efforts to maintain achievements in early detection, treatment, and care, urging pregnant women to seek early antenatal care.

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 19 — Malaysia has retained the World Health Organisation (WHO) validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis following an assessment of the country’s achievements from 2021 to 2024.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the achievement reaffirmed the recognition first obtained in 2018, when Malaysia became the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to receive the validation.

The ministry said the recognition reflected Malaysia’s continued commitment to strengthening maternal and child health and ensuring access to quality screening, treatment and healthcare services.

It added that the achievement demonstrated the effectiveness of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and Syphilis programme, which has been integrated into the country’s maternal and child health services since 1997.

The certificate and recognition were received by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at the 77th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific meeting in Manila today.

According to the MOH, screening coverage for HIV and syphilis among pregnant women remained above 95 per cent throughout the assessment period, while antiretroviral treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV reached approximately 99 per cent.

In 2024, the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate stood at 1.52 per cent, meeting the WHO target of below two per cent.

The ministry also reported that the rate of congenital syphilis, an infection transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, stood at 10 cases per 100,000 live births, well below the WHO elimination threshold of 50 cases per 100,000 live births.

The MOH attributed the achievement to the sustained commitment of healthcare personnel at all levels and collaboration among government agencies, private healthcare providers, the Malaysian AIDS Council, civil society organisations and the community.

The ministry also expressed appreciation to all parties involved, as well as the WHO, for its technical support and cooperation.

It said efforts would continue to strengthen early detection, treatment and follow-up care for mothers and infants to sustain the achievement.

The MOH also advised pregnant women to seek antenatal care as early as possible and complete the recommended screening and treatment procedures to protect their health and that of their babies. — Bernama

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马来西亚已获得世界卫生组织的认可，在 2021 年至 2024 年期间消除艾滋病毒和梅毒的母婴传播，该认可于 2018 年首次获得。

超过 95% 的孕妇接受了 HIV 和梅毒筛查，HIV 感染者的抗逆转录病毒治疗率达到 99%。

卫生部继续努力保持早期发现、治疗和护理方面取得的成就，敦促孕妇尽早寻求产前护理。

布城，10 月 19 日讯——世界卫生组织 (WHO) 对马来西亚在 2021 年至 2024 年期间取得的成就进行了评估，确认马来西亚已消除艾滋病毒和梅毒的母婴传播，并继续保持这一认证。

卫生部在一份声明中表示，这一成就再次肯定了马来西亚在 2018 年首次获得的认可，当时马来西亚成为世卫组织西太平洋区域第一个获得该项认可的国家。

该部表示，这一认可体现了马来西亚持续致力于加强妇幼保健，并确保获得高质量的筛查、治疗和医疗保健服务。

报告还指出，这一成就证明了预防艾滋病毒和梅毒母婴传播（PMTCT）计划的有效性，该计划自 1997 年以来一直被纳入该国的妇幼保健服务体系。

今天，卫生部长拿督斯里祖基菲里·艾哈迈德博士在马尼拉举行的世界卫生组织西太平洋区域委员会第77届会议上接受了证书和表彰。

根据卫生部的数据，在整个评估期间，孕妇的艾滋病毒和梅毒筛查覆盖率保持在 95% 以上，而感染艾滋病毒的孕妇的抗逆转录病毒治疗覆盖率达到了约 99%。

2024 年，母婴 HIV 传播率为 1.52%，达到世界卫生组织设定的低于 2% 的目标。

该部还报告称，先天性梅毒（一种在怀孕期间由母亲传染给孩子的感染）的发病率为每 10 万活产婴儿中有 10 例，远低于世界卫生组织设定的每 10 万活产婴儿中有 50 例的消除阈值。

卫生部将这一成就归功于各级医务人员的持续努力，以及政府机构、私营医疗机构、马来西亚艾滋病理事会、民间社会组织和社区之间的合作。

该部还对所有相关方以及世界卫生组织提供的技术支持与合作表示感谢。

声明称，将继续努力加强对母亲和婴儿的早期发现、治疗和后续护理，以保持这一成果。

卫生部还建议孕妇尽早接受产前检查，并完成建议的筛查和治疗程序，以保护自身和胎儿的健康。——马新社

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