From 15 - 18 July 2025, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a series of Path-To-Elimination (PTE) workshops in Ondangwa and Windhoek. The workshops brought together stakeholders from all 14 regions, aiming to guide and support the integration of PTE activities into routine Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. The workshops marked a critical step in sustaining progress and ensuring that elimination goals are embedded in routine service delivery across all regions.

These efforts follow WHO's recognition of Namibia in February 2024 as being on the PTE of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV). This recognition was based on validated programmatic data from 2020 and 2021. In May 2024, Namibia was officially awarded the PTE certificate, achieving bronze-tier status for HIV and silver-tier status for HBV, marking significant progress toward elimination.

Namibia remains committed to improving its PTE status, with the goal of achieving gold tier recognition for all three infections by 2028. As part of WHO’s global validation process, countries on the PTE are reassessed for maintenance after a minimum of three years. Namibia is currently preparing for its upcoming maintenance assessment by the Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC).

During the workshops, presentations were delivered on the Global PTE Guidance and the National PTE Roadmap, providing regions with a strategic framework to align their efforts with international standards and national targets. Regional teams also developed and presented their plans to address and dismantle bottlenecks hindering progress toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and HBV. These discussions served to strengthen collaboration and promote accountability in implementing evidence-based interventions at sub-national level.

A key highlight of the workshops was the symbolic virtual handover of Namibia’s PTE certificate to regional governors, recognizing the collective progress made at national and regional levels. In addition, MoHSS presented certificates of recognition to WHO and other key stakeholders in appreciation of their unwavering support and partnership in advancing EMTCT efforts across the country.

The Chairperson of the National Validation Committee, Dr. Naemi Shoopala, reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to achieving an HIV-free generation through effective programmes aimed at preventing MTCT of HIV. In addition, the Governor of Ohangwena Region, Honorable Kadiva Hamutumwa, also pledged to support the region in meeting the national targets set by the government to eliminate MTCT.