With a focus on universal health coverage, Oman identified the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a national priority, and work was initiated to achieve elimination, according to a news release issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The process of validation was started in 2019 when the Ministry of Health established a national team tasked with collecting relevant data and preparing a report. The validation process entailed conducting meetings and reviews with the regional and global validation committee to ensure that the country had met WHO standards for validation. In 2022, Oman was validated as the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to have successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

In recognition of Oman’s achievement, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO country office, organized a special event and other countries were encouraged to follow Oman’s example. The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Dr Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti, Minister of Health and it was attended by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative to Oman, Dr Shereen El-Feki, Director, Regional Support Team, UNAIDS, representatives of UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund, international partners and officials from ministries of health in the Region. WHO’s Director-General and UNICEF’s Regional Director delivered recorded speeches on the occasion.

WHO