VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles is set to become a regional pioneer in maternal healthcare by launching the Determine Antenatal Care Panel, the world’s first and only World Health Organisation-prequalified rapid diagnostic test capable of simultaneously detecting HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B at the point of care, with an official ceremony scheduled at the Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa and a national Training of Trainers session for midwives to follow on May 19, 2026. The initiative, led by the National HIV/Aids Programme of the Public Health Authority together with the Maternal Health Programme and pharmaceutical company Abbott, marks a major step toward the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of all three diseases. Minister for Health Dr Marvin Fanny will officiate the launch.
For pregnant women across Seychelles, the practical impact is immediate and significant. Under the new integrated approach, a single consultation will now provide simultaneous testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, replacing what had previously required multiple visits or referrals. This one-stop model is expected to reduce missed diagnoses, enable same-day treatment initiation, and ensure that no woman falls through the gaps in the antenatal care system. Universal screening at first contact with health services is a cornerstone of the programme and a direct benefit to mothers and newborns across all islands.
The initiative responds to persistent barriers affecting timely diagnosis and treatment in antenatal care services, in line with the 2025 global HIV theme of Overcoming Disruption, according to the Ministry of Health. The implementation of the Determine Antenatal Care Panel is expected to achieve universal screening by ensuring all pregnant women are tested at first contact, enable same-day diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment or prophylaxis where required, and strengthen the surveillance and data systems necessary for Seychelles to pursue official WHO validation for triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission. The Training of Trainers session on May 19 will bring together midwives, laboratory technicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure standardised, high-quality implementation across all facilities.
Seychelles has long been recognised for its high standard of public health infrastructure relative to its size, and the adoption of this integrated testing technology places it among a small group of nations globally that have moved to implement such an approach in routine antenatal care. The triple elimination target, which requires reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B to near-zero levels, is a globally recognised benchmark set by the WHO. Achieving WHO validation for triple elimination would represent a landmark public health achievement for the Republic of Seychelles.
The launch reflects the government’s continued commitment to preventive healthcare and equitable access to maternal services. By investing in early detection technology, Seychelles is not only protecting the health of mothers and newborns today but also laying the groundwork for a generation free from these preventable infections. The collaboration between the Public Health Authority, the Maternal Health Programme, and Abbott demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate access to life-saving medical innovations in small island developing states.
The official launch ceremony marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout that the Ministry of Health expects will fundamentally transform the standard of antenatal screening across Seychelles.
