Namibia is the first high-burden country in the region to successfully apply for triple elimination validation.

A Regional Validation Committee is currently in Namibia to assess the submission for the Path to Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

The Triple Elimination Initiative supports the global commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child or vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and the Hepatitis B virus.

The Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, says Namibia has made significant strides in improving indicators of prevention of mother-to-Child transmission.

He further says that the country is anticipated to be among the next line of countries in Africa to be certified for being on the path to the triple elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of the three infections.

"The national triple validation report highlights that, as a country, Namibia has attained almost universal testing coverage for HIV and syphilis in Antenatal Care settings, and almost all those who test positive for HIV and Syphilis receive treatment. The programme's data indicates that Namibia is doing well with HBV antenatal testing and antiviral prophylaxis coverage, as well as HBV birth doses for infants."

The Regional Validation Committee is a standing committee of expert members from different fields.

Stakeholders will review the National Validation Report and provide recommendations to the Regional Validation Secretariat.

"In response to the submission of the Government of Namibia, the National Validation Committee for validation for the Path to Elimination, WHO/AFRO, as the Regional Validation Secretariat, has convened the Regional Validation Committee to embark on this mission to review the status of achievement. The Regional Validation Committee is a standing committee of expert members from UN agencies (UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO), development partners (US CDC), ministries of health, civil society, and academia."

The review team will undertake desk reviews and field visits.