The World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated Denmark for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, acknowledging the country’s long-standing efforts to ensure that babies are born free from these infections.
The certification followed reviews by the WHO’s Regional Validation Committee in June 2025 and the Global Validation Advisory Committee in August 2025, which confirmed that Denmark met all required targets between 2021 and 2024. These included maintaining very low transmission rates and achieving high coverage of testing and treatment for pregnant women.
With this achievement, Denmark joins 22 other countries and territories—among them Brazil, Botswana, Cuba, Jamaica, Malaysia, Namibia and Thailand—that have been validated by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, or are on track to do so.
To reach elimination status, countries must test and treat at least 95 per cent of pregnant women and keep new infant infections below 50 per 100,000 births consistently over time.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the milestone as a major public health success for Denmark. He said it shows that strong political commitment, sustained investment in primary health care and integrated maternal and child health services can protect both mothers and newborns.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, noted that Denmark’s achievement reflects the strength of its maternal health system and its focus on reaching every pregnant woman with quality care.
He added that the country met the targets through robust antenatal services, reliable data systems and a rights-based approach to health, and that WHO would continue supporting Denmark as it works towards eliminating hepatitis B to achieve full “triple elimination”.
Denmark’s Minister for the Interior and Health, Sophie Løhde, called the validation a proud moment and the result of decades of work by healthcare professionals, midwives and public health teams.
She said the country’s universal health system, built on equal access to care, has been central to the success.
Løhde added that being the first European Union country to reach this goal is both an honour and a responsibility, expressing hope that Denmark’s experience will inspire other nations and that the country will soon complete the journey by adding hepatitis B to the list.
Denmark records very low rates of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women. About 5,950 people are living with HIV nationwide, with fewer than 0.1 per cent of pregnant women affected. Routine testing and timely treatment have reduced mother-to-child transmission to zero.
Chronic hepatitis B prevalence is estimated at 0.2 to 0.3 per cent, mainly among migrants from high-burden regions. Congenital syphilis is rare due to systematic prenatal screening and care.
In 2024, the country reported 626 syphilis cases overall, most of them among men (524) and fewer among women (102). These figures underscore the effectiveness of Denmark’s comprehensive prenatal services and broader public health measures.