UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

April 1, 2008

Preventing mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS

Amazing isn’t it – that we’ve come such a long way since the beginning of the HIV epidemic. Years ago, children born with HIV were almost certain to contract the condition from their mothers. In fact, just six years ago, in 2002, there was a 25% transmission rate from infected mother to child in Jamaica. Also in 2002, it was reported that 45 children died of AIDS. But, thankfully, things are changing.

I recently got the chance to sit and talk with a young couple, Janice and Anthony * who are both in their mid-twenties and are both living with HIV. Last year, they decided they wanted to start a family. They carefully consulted with health care providers, in the clinic they regularly attend for their own health needs, about their plans and what they should do to give their baby the best chance of not contracting the virus.

They were counseled on the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. They were told that once she became pregnant, Janice would be prescribed antiretroviral treatment that would help to reduce the chances of the baby becoming infected.

Janice laughed as she remembered how meticulous she was in taking her medication. She felt very responsible for the good health of the baby and would wake up in the middle of the night to check that she took her prescribed doses at the right times. A journal she kept helped her adhere to her treatment.

She delivered a beautiful baby girl last August. At her six weeks check at the clinic, the baby was given a special test called a PCR test to determine if she was in fact infected by HIV. That test result was negative. The result was later confirmed by another test administered at her six month check. Both parents are overjoyed at the birth of their daughter and that she has been given a clean bill of health. They are looking forward to raising her together.

In 2006, due to the success of the PMTCT programme, the transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child was 10%. UNICEF is working with the Minsitry of Health to build the capacity of health care workers and other service providers to deliver quality services to mothers, fathers and children to further reduce mother-to-child-transmission. UNICEF is also assisting the government in providing critically needed PCR testing that is administered to all babies born to HIV-infected mothers. Those who have contracted the virus are put on child-appropriate treatments that help to improve their survivability. In 2006, over 325 children were put on treatment and 13 HIV-related child deaths were reported to the Ministry of Health.

Despite the achievements, we have so much more work to do. Over the next two years, we can bring the PMTCT rate even further down to below 5%. Especially crucial is the need to improve follow-up care for the infected mothers and babies. There is no reason that any child anywhere should die because of AIDS. With your kind support, we can continue to improve the services available to families and ensure that no baby is born with HIV.

* Not the actual names.