Denmark Becomes First EU Nation to Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis.
Geneva/Copenhagen:
In a landmark public health achievement, Denmark has become the first country in the European Union to be officially certified for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. The validation was granted by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant milestone in global efforts to end vertical transmission of infectious diseases.
The certification recognizes Denmark’s sustained commitment to ensuring that every child is born free of HIV and syphilis. The validation follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and endorsement by the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) in August 2025. The review confirmed that Denmark consistently met all required targets between 2021 and 2024, including maintaining low transmission rates and achieving high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment services.
Major Public Health Milestone
Welcoming the achievement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the elimination as a major public health success.
“The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks a major public health achievement for Denmark,” he said. “This milestone demonstrates that with strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care and integrated maternal and child health services, countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn from these diseases.”
WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, highlighted that elimination requires testing and treating at least 95 out of every 100 pregnant women and keeping new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 births annually. He credited Denmark’s strong antenatal care system, reliable health data infrastructure, and rights-based healthcare policies for achieving these benchmarks.
“As the first European Union country to reach this milestone, Denmark’s success is a testament to the strength of its maternal health system and its long-standing commitment to reaching every pregnant woman with the care she needs,” he said, adding that WHO will continue supporting Denmark as it works toward full “triple elimination,” which includes hepatitis B.
Decades of Sustained Commitment
Denmark’s accomplishment reflects decades of investment in universal health coverage and integrated maternal and child health services. Routine screening for HIV and syphilis during pregnancy, robust laboratory capacity, comprehensive follow-up care, and strong human rights protections have been central to the country’s success.
Denmark’s Minister for the Interior and Health, Sophie Løhde, described the validation as a proud national moment.
“This validation by WHO is a proud moment for Denmark and the result of decades of work by our health-care professionals, midwives, and public health teams,” she said. “Denmark’s universal health system—built on equal access for all—has been the foundation of this achievement. Being the first country in the European Union to reach this milestone is both an honour and a responsibility.”
She added that Denmark hopes its experience will inspire other nations and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to achieving triple elimination by adding hepatitis B to its validated successes.
A Model for Global Health
With this certification, Denmark joins 22 other countries and territories validated by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B, or recognized as being on the path toward elimination.
Denmark’s achievement stands as a powerful example of how rights-based policies, high-quality maternal health services, and strong surveillance systems can work together to protect mothers and newborns. As WHO continues to promote the triple elimination initiative globally, Denmark’s milestone is expected to serve as both a model and motivator for countries seeking to strengthen their EMTCT programmes and safeguard future generations.
