Sri Lanka Launches 'Triple Elimination' Program to Prevent Mother-to-Child Disease Transmission

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health has officially launched a nationwide "Triple Elimination" program aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases from mothers to their newborns. Effective June 1st, all pregnant mothers attending all maternity clinics island-wide will undergo blood tests that include screening for Hepatitis B, in addition to existing checks for HIV and Syphilis. This expansion builds upon the success of the previous "Dual Elimination" program, which successfully prevented mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis, earning Sri Lanka WHO certification in 2019. The initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing maternal and child health outcomes across the country.