ADVERTISEMENT
  • Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Namibia Becomes First Country To End Mother-to-Child HIV, Hepatitis B Transmission In Africa

by Nafisat Abdulrahman
1 year ago
in News
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

In a groundbreaking achievement, Namibia has emerged as the first country in Africa, and indeed the first high-burden nation globally, to make significant strides towards eliminating vertical transmission of both HIV and viral hepatitis B.

Advertisement

This remarkable feat was announced by the African Region Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday.

Eastern and Southern Africa, home to over half of the world’s HIV burden, has long grappled with the challenge of mother-to-child transmission of these diseases. Against this backdrop, Namibia’s achievement stands as a beacon of hope and progress.

 

“Progress is possible,” affirmed WHO, noting that globally, 2.5 million children have been spared vertical transmission of HIV since 2010, with 28,000 of these cases occurring in Namibia alone. Key to this success has been the widespread availability of HIV testing among pregnant women and access to treatment, resulting in a remarkable 70% reduction in vertical transmission over the past two decades. In 2022, only four percent of babies born to mothers living with HIV in Namibia acquired the virus.

Related News

Rising Drug Abuse Among Youths Fuelling Kidney, Liver Diseases – Expert

24 minutes ago

Why Suicide Prevention Matters In Nigeria

24 minutes ago

 

Furthermore, nearly 80% of infants in Namibia received a timely birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, underscoring the nation’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare services. This integrated approach, which merges primary healthcare with antenatal, child health, and sexual and reproductive health services, has been pivotal in achieving these milestones.

 

Recognising Namibia’s efforts, WHO awarded the nation “silver tier” status for progress in reducing hepatitis B and “bronze tier” for progress in HIV reduction. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, hailed Namibia’s achievement as a testament to committed political leadership and effective public health implementation.

 

The validation process, conducted in collaboration with UNICEF, UNAIDS, and UNFPA, evaluates data and establishes standardized milestones for disease elimination. Namibia’s success underscores the efficacy of a person-centered approach to healthcare, aimed at improving outcomes for both mothers and children.

 

UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anne Githuku-Shongwe, commended Namibia’s efforts, stating that they serve as a beacon for the entire region in the fight against pediatric HIV. UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli, highlighted Namibia’s holistic approach to the HIV response, encompassing maternal and child health within a broader development agenda.

 

The WHO’s Triple Elimination Initiative aims to ensure the health of mothers and children and uphold every child’s right to be born free from the burden of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Recent years have seen several countries, including Cuba, Thailand, and Belarus, certified for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges, with the highest burden of children born with HIV globally and a substantial number of chronic carriers of hepatitis B. Addressing these challenges remains a priority, with WHO emphasizing the importance of integrated services and sustained political commitment to achieve the goals of ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

SendShare10184Tweet6365Share

Other News Updates

Health

Rising Drug Abuse Among Youths Fuelling Kidney, Liver Diseases – Expert

2025/09/18
Health

Why Suicide Prevention Matters In Nigeria

2025/09/18
Health

Nigeria Steps Up Molecular Medicine With DemyHealth’s DNA Innovation

2025/09/18
Health

College Enrolls Entire Student Body In Health Competition Against Malaria

2025/09/18
Health

Abia To Launch Measles, Rubella Vaccinations

2025/09/18
News

Italy’s Furlani Soars To World Long Jump Gold

2025/09/18
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Rising Drug Abuse Among Youths Fuelling Kidney, Liver Diseases – Expert

Why Suicide Prevention Matters In Nigeria

Nigeria Steps Up Molecular Medicine With DemyHealth’s DNA Innovation

College Enrolls Entire Student Body In Health Competition Against Malaria

Abia To Launch Measles, Rubella Vaccinations

Nathaniel Aims For World 400m Hurdles Podium In Tokyo After Ending 38-year Jinx

Delta Governor Rewards Team Delta For Gateway Games Triumph

Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League: MFM Return To Winning Ways, Dolphins Beat Titans

Heartland Ready For Promotion Battle – Amuneke

Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League: MFM Return To Winning Ways, Dolphins Beat Titans

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.