The Kolkata Commitment on the Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis

Dear Editor, In Southeast Asia, nearly 60 million people are affected with chronic hepatitis B and 10.5 million with hepatitis C, 3.9 million people living with HIV, and 60 million new infections from four preventable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate. The WHO Southeast Asia Regional Integrated Hepatitis/HIV/STI Plan (2022–2026) aimed to end AIDS and the pandemics of viral hepatitis and STIs by 2030. Triple elimination of vertical transmission targets all three diseases HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B for a safer childhood to future generations. A consultation-cum-colloquium on interruption of vertical transmission of triple diseases was organized by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, along with the WHO in Kolkata. Representatives of state officials and faculties of medical colleges from West Bengal, WHO, WJ Clinton Foundation, USAIDS, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Association of Physicians of India, CINI, and SATHI participated. To bring momentum, “The Kolkata commitment on the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis” was signed with the pledge for achieving and sustaining elimination efforts. Committed to establish a resilient and people-centered comprehensive health system with a robust surveillance system, collaboration with private and voluntary health sectors, enhancing community participation and involving the education department for early life awareness generation, was adopted. The Kolkata commitment on the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis states: We, the functionaries of the health-care system, represented at the “consultation-cum-colloquium on the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis” in Kolkata from December 6 to 7, 2023, commit to work collaboratively toward the achievement of the elimination status. We acknowledge that health and well-being are core pillars for happier societies and sustainable development. Therefore, we commit to strengthening elimination efforts for all, so that every Indian citizen irrespective of social or economic status has access to good-quality affordable health services, including testing and treatment of mothers and babies, without them facing financial hardship. We commit to building on the existing achievements by framing the State Implementation Plan for paving pathways to achieve the elimination targets. We acknowledge the need to invest in health data collection, analysis, and research so that evidence can inform policies and strategies. Management of congenital syphilis will also be strengthened. We would partner with people and communities in this journey and collaborate with private and voluntary sectors to achieve a unified and responsive health system capable of providing people-centered comprehensive health services across the levels of care and through the life course. The involvement of the education department for community awareness at the early stages of life will be focused. A care model for urban settings will also be prioritized. We pledge to take steps to augment human and financial resources for achieving and sustaining elimination efforts. We commit to working toward creating an enabling environment and developing appropriate policies and strategies aimed at the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We would establish mechanisms for transparency and accountability and ensure periodic progress review of targets and indicators to feed into policies and programs, so mothers are protected, and babies born in West Bengal are free from HIV–syphilis and hepatitis B in the coming days. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.