The elimination of diseases and EMTCT of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus are global public health priorities. The Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) aims to validate 50 and 100 countries for EMTCT by 2025 and 2030, respectively. As of May 2024, 19 countries have been validated globally, including one from the Western Pacific Region. Despite notable progress in reducing transmission rates of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, significant gaps remain.
To accelerate progress, the Regional Validation Advisory Group on EMTCT and Accelerated Control of Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific Region (WP RVAG) was formed in 2024 and had its first meeting in the same year. At its second meeting, the RVAG will review the application from Hong Kong SAR (China) for triple EMTCT validation, assess other countries’ readiness and refine validation approaches − particularly for Pacific island countries.
The objectives of the expert consultation are:
(1) to finalize recommendations to the Secretariat on the application for validation of EMTCT of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B from Hong Kong;
(2) to discuss and provide recommendations to the Global Validation Advisory Committee on the validation process for small island countries; and
(3) to discuss and provide strategic and actionable solutions at the regional level to assist countries in the effort towards achieving EMTCT and control of viral hepatitis.
