Act now to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV
By Campaigns | May 17, 2010
Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) is calling on the new Prime Minister to put the fight against mother-to-child transmission of HIV to the top of the national and international development agenda.
In 2000, governments pledged to halve rates of mother-to-child transmission by 2010. However, this target has not been met due to inaction and a shocking lack of coordination among donors, UN agencies and governments. As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals approaches with targets on child and maternal health, ACTSA is calling for a boost in efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
70,000 infants are born HIV positive each year. Almost half of the infants born with the virus there have no access to drugs and on average die within two years.
An almost HIV-free generation could be achieved in southern Africa within the next five years. South Africa’s new national strategy on HIV/AIDS is an exemplary role model for the whole region in tackling mother-to-child transmission.
However, the region cannot tackle this huge task alone. ACTSA welcomes the decision of the Department for International Development (DFID) to prioritise mother-to-child transmission. DFID over the last years has made a valuable contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and this commitment should continue and be further expanded.
Mr Dykes said, “We urge the new government to continue and expand the UK’s commitments to the cause and take on a leading role internationally at this year’s G8 and G20 summits. Mother-to-child transmission has been virtually eliminated in richer countries. The time has now come to do the same for southern Africa and the rest of the world. Effective action now will mean by the time of the 2014 World Cup mother to child transmission of HIV is eliminated.
ACTSA is requesting leadership from the Government to ensure Britain leaves a positive World Cup legacy for southern Africa by making a firm commitment today to help eliminate mother-to-child transmission by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil; to provide financial and political support for DFID’s strategy; to expand funding to organisations in southern Africa working towards universal access to treatment and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission; and to raise the issue internationally, showing leadership at this year’s G8 and G20 summits and at the United Nations.
ACTSA is inviting people to send a clear message to the new Prime Minister calling for the eradication of mother-to-child transmission.
Topics: News from ACTSA | No Comments »