For more information on this session, including access to speaker presentations, please see the conference Programme-at-a-Glance.

According to the latest data, significant progress has been made in delivering prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in low- and middle-income countries. However, much work remains to be done. An estimated 430,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2008, the vast majority through mother-to-child transmission. The new 2009 WHO recommendations for antiretroviral treatment of pregnant women, PMTCT and infant feeding provide an important new opportunity and challenge to implement highly effective interventions in resource-limited settings and promote the health of both the mother and the child. In non-breastfeeding populations, the risk of MTCT can be reduced to less than 2%, and to 5% or less in breastfeeding populations. Major gaps and obstacles of implementing PMTCT interventions remain managerial and operational in nature. The scaling up of prevention interventions among those most at risk and hard-to-reach women poses a particular challenge. This goes beyond clinical care and needs to include a range of care and protection issues, both in health institutions and in the community.

Event Date

Jul 22, 2010