Central Asian governments to tackle HIV transmission between mothers and babies
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 1, 2008 – The emerging Central Asian phenomenon of transmission of HIV from mothers to infants is to be discussed by governments at a high-level meeting in Uzbekistan. Central Asia has one of the fastest growing HIV infection rates in the world. Although the recorded number of cases is minimal comparatively speaking, more than 80% of Central Asians infected with HIV/AIDS are under the age of 30. Dr Feruz Naziorv, Minister of Health of Uzbekistan, said: “This meeting is aimed at prevention of HIV transmission and taking necessary step to provide address help to the already infected people. Reaching progress in joint counteractions against AIDs in the region we are creating foundation for complete elimination of the mother-to-child HIV transmission in the nearest future.” The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan is hosting this July 1-3 meeting at Hotel Dedeman, in Tashkent. The main theme is ‘achieving comprehensive prevention of mother-to-child transmission and paediatric HIV/AIDS care in Central Asian countries’. Among those attending will be delegates representing the governments of: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Also represented will be UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNODC, WHO, the World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and the Kazakh Union of People Living with HIV/AIDS. “It’s time to mobilize all available resources to take meaningful actions for children,” said Mahboob Shareef, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “What we really need now is a scaling up of the most successful interventions to ensure that it doesn’t happen anymore.” The meeting is taking place as increasing public attention is drawn to pediatric AIDS care in Central Asia. HIV transmission in hospitals owing to unsafe blood supplies has drawn international media attention, notably in southern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Experts say progress can be achieved in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in these countries, which may well deliver the virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission.
The meeting will provide a showcase for ‘best practices’ in the scale-up of pediatric HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support programmes. Another aim is to strengthen the commitment to develop local prevention, treatment, and improved care providers. This will enhance the quality of care. Another aim of the meeting is to raise awareness of the importance of developing the skills and abilities of local communities, non-governmental organizations and associations of people living with HIV to address the psycho-social, legal care and support needs of families. A major challenge in central Asia is the widespread stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV, including children. Delegates at this meeting have already agreed to hold a follow-up gathering in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in order to review progress made. For more information contact UNICEF Uzbekistan Communication Officer Bobur Turdiev (bturdiev@unicef.org) or HIV and Youth Programme Officer Komiljon Akhmedov (kakhmedov@unicef.org) Tel: + 99871 2339512, 2339735, 2337709
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