Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Early HIV Testing and Treatment Can Save Newborn Lives, Says New UN Report Released on World AIDS Day United Nations Children's Fund (New York) PRESS RELEASE 1 December 2008 Posted to the web 1 December 2008 New York Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects for survival of newborn babies exposed to HIV, according to a report released today by four United Nations agencies. The report, titled Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, was jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and released on World Aids Day. " Without appropriate treatment, half of children with HIV will die from an HIV-related cause by their second birthday, " said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. " Survival rates are up to 75 per cent higher for HIV-positive newborns who are diagnosed and begin treatment within their first 12 weeks. " However, in 2007, less than 10 per cent of infants born to HIV- positive mothers were tested for HIV before they were two months old. The report advocates for increased testing to enable appropriate treatments to begin as early as possible. " Today, no infant should have to die of AIDS, " said WHO Director- General Dr. Margaret Chan. " We know how to prevent these tragic deaths, but now we need to focus on strengthening our healthcare systems to ensure that all mothers and children receive treatment as early as possible. " Early infant testing in some of the countries hardest hit by HIV and AIDS, such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia, is being scaled up. In 2007, 30 low- and middle- income countries were using dried blood spot filter testing, up from 17 countries in 2005. In several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana and South Africa, many infants are now tested for HIV at as young as six weeks of age, using dried blood spot testing, and many of those who test positive are provided antiretroviral therapy. Far too few pregnant women know their HIV status. In 2007, only 18 per cent of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries were given an HIV test, and of those who tested positive, only 12 per cent were further screened to determine the stage of HIV disease and the type of treatment they require. " The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only effective, but also a human right, " said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Piot. " We are seeing good progress in many countries, especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women. " The report also recommends increased access to tests assessing immune functions of HIV-positive mothers to determine their stage of HIV disease and provide a basis for decisions about appropriate treatment that addresses their own health needs and reduces the chance of the virus being passed to their offspring. Addressing prevention is also a key part of the UN strategy on HIV and AIDS. Significant numbers of young people continue to be infected with HIV each year – 45 per cent of all new infections occur in the 15–24 year-old age group. Young people are a component of national HIV strategic plans in 22 countries in West and Central Africa. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, there are programmes that focus on reducing risky behaviours, vulnerability and disparity among young people both in school and out of school. " In a world with HIV and AIDS, young people need comprehensive information and education and access to sexual and reproductive health services to protect their right to health, " said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director. " Preventing HIV infection in women is the first line of defence in preventing HIV in newborns. Involving young people in HIV efforts is the best way to ensure that programmes are well-targeted and effective. " Pediatric AIDS treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and prevention of new infections among adolescents and young people are three of the four core components of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS discussed in the Stocktaking report. The last section advocates for expanded protection and care for the approximately 15 million children globally who have lost either one or both of their parents due to AIDS, sparking greater attention to the needs of all vulnerable children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Early HIV Testing and Treatment Can Save Newborn Lives, Says New UN Report Released on World AIDS Day United Nations Children's Fund (New York) PRESS RELEASE 1 December 2008 Posted to the web 1 December 2008 New York Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects for survival of newborn babies exposed to HIV, according to a report released today by four United Nations agencies. The report, titled Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, was jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and released on World Aids Day. " Without appropriate treatment, half of children with HIV will die from an HIV-related cause by their second birthday, " said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. " Survival rates are up to 75 per cent higher for HIV-positive newborns who are diagnosed and begin treatment within their first 12 weeks. " However, in 2007, less than 10 per cent of infants born to HIV- positive mothers were tested for HIV before they were two months old. The report advocates for increased testing to enable appropriate treatments to begin as early as possible. " Today, no infant should have to die of AIDS, " said WHO Director- General Dr. Margaret Chan. " We know how to prevent these tragic deaths, but now we need to focus on strengthening our healthcare systems to ensure that all mothers and children receive treatment as early as possible. " Early infant testing in some of the countries hardest hit by HIV and AIDS, such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia, is being scaled up. In 2007, 30 low- and middle- income countries were using dried blood spot filter testing, up from 17 countries in 2005. In several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana and South Africa, many infants are now tested for HIV at as young as six weeks of age, using dried blood spot testing, and many of those who test positive are provided antiretroviral therapy. Far too few pregnant women know their HIV status. In 2007, only 18 per cent of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries were given an HIV test, and of those who tested positive, only 12 per cent were further screened to determine the stage of HIV disease and the type of treatment they require. " The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only effective, but also a human right, " said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Piot. " We are seeing good progress in many countries, especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women. " The report also recommends increased access to tests assessing immune functions of HIV-positive mothers to determine their stage of HIV disease and provide a basis for decisions about appropriate treatment that addresses their own health needs and reduces the chance of the virus being passed to their offspring. Addressing prevention is also a key part of the UN strategy on HIV and AIDS. Significant numbers of young people continue to be infected with HIV each year – 45 per cent of all new infections occur in the 15–24 year-old age group. Young people are a component of national HIV strategic plans in 22 countries in West and Central Africa. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, there are programmes that focus on reducing risky behaviours, vulnerability and disparity among young people both in school and out of school. " In a world with HIV and AIDS, young people need comprehensive information and education and access to sexual and reproductive health services to protect their right to health, " said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director. " Preventing HIV infection in women is the first line of defence in preventing HIV in newborns. Involving young people in HIV efforts is the best way to ensure that programmes are well-targeted and effective. " Pediatric AIDS treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and prevention of new infections among adolescents and young people are three of the four core components of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS discussed in the Stocktaking report. The last section advocates for expanded protection and care for the approximately 15 million children globally who have lost either one or both of their parents due to AIDS, sparking greater attention to the needs of all vulnerable children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.