Advancing Triple EMTCT Across ASEAN: From Shared Experiences to National Action

The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened a regional workshop, “Exchanging Best Practices to Enhance EMTCT: From Shared Experiences to National Action,” in Bangkok on 2–3 September 2026.

The workshop brought together countries across the region to accelerate progress towards the shared goal of achieving and sustaining the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030.

Speaking at the opening session, WHO Thailand emphasized that achieving triple EMTCT requires countries to move beyond disease-specific approaches and strengthen integrated, people-centred services. Grounded in the Global Health Sector Strategies (GHSS) 2022–2030 and WHO’s Integrated People-Centred Health Services (IPCHS) framework, this approach brings together primary prevention, sexual and reproductive health services, essential maternal care, and comprehensive services for infants and partners.

“Every stage of the life course—from pre-conception and antenatal care to safe delivery, postnatal monitoring and childhood follow-up—provides an important opportunity to prevent transmission and protect mothers, newborns and families,” Dr Chawisar Janekrongtham highlighted.

Across the region, countries face common challenges, including limited access to antenatal care in remote areas, fragmented health information and laboratory systems, and financing gaps. However, countries seeking validation of EMTCT often face challenges beyond epidemiological progress. Strong data systems, laboratory quality assurance, and meaningful engagement of affected communities—underpinned by human rights and gender equality—are critical foundations for successful validation.

The workshop features country-level deep dives, sharing of hospital-level best practices from Thailand, and technical exchanges with countries that have made significant progress. Participants will also learn from the Maldives, the first country globally to achieve validated triple elimination in October 2025.

The workshop will conclude with a technical site visit to Taksin Hospital, providing participants with an opportunity to observe integrated service delivery in practice. The exchange reinforces a key message: strong primary health care, universal health coverage and sustained political commitment are fundamental to protecting every mother and newborn from preventable infections.

Through shared learning and country-led action, ASEAN Member States are strengthening the foundations needed to accelerate progress towards triple EMTCT and ensure that every child has the opportunity for a healthy start in life.