Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B in MENA
Progress Report and Road Map
Highlights
This is the first report on progress towards the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) across 23 countries in the Middle East and North Africa/ Eastern Mediterranean (MENA/EM) region. These infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and young children in the absence of treatment, as well as social, psychological and economic consequences for families.
Countries included in this report:
Algeria, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, State of Palestine*, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
In the MENA/EM region, the regional prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HBV is comparatively lower than in some other regions of the world, pointing to a significant opportunity for governments to reach the goal of EMTCT for all three diseases. There are proven, cost-effective and scalable prevention, testing, and treatment and care strategies for the EMTCT of HIV, syphilis and HBV. Countries can achieve EMTCT goals more efficiently by further integrating EMTCT services into existing national maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH) services and systems. In addition, countries in the region can scale-up and accelerate their efforts by adapting best practices in EMTCT programme and service delivery, strengthening data quality and information management, improving laboratory quality, and enhancing consideration for human rights, gender equality and community engagement.
