The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Denmark for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country’s long-term commitment to protecting maternal and child health. The achievement reflects Denmark’s consistent efforts to ensure that every pregnant woman receives timely screening, treatment and care so that newborns are protected from these infections. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the milestone demonstrates how strong political commitment, sustained investment in primary health care and integrated maternal and child health services can successfully prevent transmission of these diseases from mothers to babies.
The certification followed a rigorous validation process conducted by WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee in August 2025. Their assessment confirmed that Denmark met all required public health benchmarks between 2021 and 2024. These benchmarks included maintaining extremely low transmission rates and ensuring very high coverage of prenatal testing and treatment among pregnant women. As the first European Union country to reach this milestone, Denmark has shown the effectiveness of strong antenatal care systems, reliable health data and consistent access to maternal health services.
Denmark’s success is the result of decades of coordinated work by healthcare professionals, public health experts and government institutions. The country’s universal health care system, which guarantees equal access to services, has been central to the achievement. Routine prenatal screening, advanced laboratory capacity and strong data monitoring systems have enabled early detection and treatment of infections during pregnancy. Danish health authorities emphasize that the achievement also reflects a rights-based approach to healthcare, ensuring that all women receive the support and services they need during pregnancy.
The country’s progress also positions it as a model for other nations seeking to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases. Denmark is now working with WHO toward the next goal of “triple elimination,” which includes preventing transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child. WHO continues to support Denmark in advancing this process, while the country’s experience provides valuable lessons for strengthening global maternal health programs.
Denmark now joins 22 other countries and territories that have been validated by WHO for eliminating or progressing toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B. The country maintains very low infection rates, with fewer than 0.1% of pregnant women affected by HIV and a total population of around 5,950 people living with the virus. Routine testing and treatment have reduced mother-to-child HIV transmission to zero, while systematic prenatal screening has kept congenital syphilis cases extremely rare. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of Denmark’s comprehensive public health system and sustained investment in maternal and newborn care.
