Globally, it's estimated that more than 1000 babies are born with HIV daily, and many of them die before the age of two if they do not receive medical attention. In this case babies should receive zidovudine after birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This medicine protects the babies from infection with any HIV virus that has passed from the mother to the child during birth.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 9% of the maternal mortality is due to HIV and AIDS. In 2009, only 53% of the pregnant woman who needed antiretrovirals (drugs used to treat HIV) received them. This already is an impressive increase from the years before, but in my opinion, more of these medicines should be provided and at a lower cost. On average only 35% of babies born to HIV-positive mothers received ARV’s in 2009.
These statistics are very eye opening, in my opinion it's a basic human right to get tested in order to be in a healthy living condition. In many countries women have limited access to safe sex methods and therefore to HIV prevention and treatment services. Women should be provided with more accessible resources to combat this disease and to lower the risk of more people being affected by it.
Regarding to this situation, I think it is very important for all people especially woman to be informed about PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) so that they are able to protect themselves and their children from HIV infection.
Read about the PMTCT strategic vision 2010-2015 by WHO here (english version). And you can also watch the explanation about what is PMTCT here (bahasa version).
These statistics are very eye opening, in my opinion it's a basic human right to get tested in order to be in a healthy living condition. In many countries women have limited access to safe sex methods and therefore to HIV prevention and treatment services. Women should be provided with more accessible resources to combat this disease and to lower the risk of more people being affected by it.
Regarding to this situation, I think it is very important for all people especially woman to be informed about PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) so that they are able to protect themselves and their children from HIV infection.
Read about the PMTCT strategic vision 2010-2015 by WHO here (english version). And you can also watch the explanation about what is PMTCT here (bahasa version).
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