Who:
Experts from Ministries of Health from the 9 countries* in Eastern and Southern Africa that account together for most of the new HIV infections in the region, together with experts from academia, UN, international support groups and donor agencies.
Where:
Nairobi, Kenya
When:
21st -22nd May 2009
More expectant mothers in Eastern and Southern Africa are now being tested for HIV and accessing prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services than ever before. In just one year, the provision of antiretrovirals to stop the transmission of the infection from the mother to the newborn has increased from 31 per cent in 2006 to 43 per cent in 2007 in this region. This is helping to reduce the number of infants infected with HIV. Improved access to these services also allows mothers living with HIV access treatment when indicated, preserving their own health and preventing their child becoming an orphan.
With the introduction of early infant diagnosis children are able to know their HIV status sooner and if positive, access paediatric treatment to prevent disease and early death. The number of children on treatment for HIV infection, for example, has increased over three times in the last three years.
Yet to achieve an AIDS free generation, there is still a long way to go. Last year there were about 1.5 million new infections in this region, over half of the global total. The meeting will examine the most recent available data and trends and identify constraints to making these services even more widely available. A combination of factors including weak health care systems and a shortage of logistical and human resource capacity have all hindered reaching more women and children.
This expert consultation, convened by UNICEF (Regional Office) in close coordination with UNAIDS and WHO, will bring together those working within Governments, the international NGOs, the donor community and the UN to map out a collective response to substantially increase access to these vital services and help countries achieve the ambitious goals that they have set for themselves.
* South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda and South Africa Swaziland and Zambia
Note to Editors:
Although the consultation is closed to the media, interviews can be arranged. A press conference will be held on Friday afternoon at the conclusion of the meeting. Details will be confirmed.
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
David Alnwick, UNICEF, in Nairobi , +254 722204285, dalnwick@unicef.org,
Kun Li, UNICEF in Nairobi, +254 734813983, kli@unicef.org
Shanta Bloemen, UNICEF, in Johannesburg, sbloemen@unicef.org.
