Sri Lanka has launched its Triple Elimination programme across all maternity clinics nationwide, further strengthening efforts to protect maternal and child health.
The Ministry of Health announced that, effective from June 1, pregnant mothers will be screened for the Hepatitis B virus in addition to the existing tests for HIV and Syphilis during routine blood examinations.
Sri Lanka previously achieved success through its Dual Elimination programme, which focused on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified Sri Lanka as one of the first countries in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both diseases, a status the country has continued to maintain.
The Ministry stated that the newly introduced Triple Elimination programme represents the next phase of these efforts, ensuring that all expectant mothers attending maternity clinics islandwide are tested for Hepatitis B alongside HIV and Syphilis.
Health authorities expect the programme to further reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases and enhance the health and wellbeing of both mothers and newborns.
