Oman received a certification of validation of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis from the World Health Organization on Wednesday. With this, the sultanate has become the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 16the in the world to achieve the feat.

The ceremony to fete Oman was held at Al Bustan Palace under the auspices of H E Dr Hilal Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, and in the presence of H E Dr. Laila Ahmed Awad al Najjar, Minister of Social Development in addition to number of local and international experts.