New Zealand plans for 100% HIV maternal testing in three years:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
New Zealand plans to have high quality HIV maternal screening tests available at all 21 district health boards within three years. So announced health minister Pete Hodgson at the United Nations' "2006 high-level meeting on AIDS", held in New York during May 31-June 2. HIV screening for pregnant women (between eight and 14 weeks) will be incorporated into existing tests, which include: full blood count, Rhesus factor, Rubella, Syphilis and Hepatitis B. According to Mr Hodgson, there has been a 99% increase in the number of New Zealand women being screened for HIV. "This represents overwhelming buy-in from GPs, nurses, midwives and prospective parents," he told the meeting.