President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has commemorated World AIDS Day by highlighting the Maldives’ historic achievement as the first country globally to attain the World Health Organization’s “Triple Elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

This year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” emphasises the need to rebuild and strengthen HIV services disrupted by global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a post on X, President Dr Muizzu stated that the milestone reflects the Maldives’ commitment to universal health coverage and quality healthcare for all citizens, made possible through international partnerships, knowledge sharing, and collective innovation. He called for continued global cooperation to ensure equitable access to healthcare, combat stigma, and uphold the dignity of every individual, reinforcing the shared responsibility of ending AIDS worldwide by 2030.

Echoing the President, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed urged communities across the Maldives to eliminate stigma, promote understanding, and ensure access to care for all, noting that ending AIDS requires collective action, resilience, and community-level innovation.

Observed annually on 1 December, World AIDS Day aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, commemorate those who have died from the disease, and advocate for equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care. Globally, over 38 million people are living with HIV, while over 40 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the epidemic began.