Global Fund puts antenatal HIV screening under spotlight with new campaign
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Global Fund has launched a campaign that seeks to help "virtually eliminate" mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015. This aim was voiced last year by the head of the United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) programme, Michel Sidibé. The “Born HIV free” campaign, launched yesterday, puts antenatal screening for the virus back on the international AIDS agenda and has the high-profile backing of its originator and supporter, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, acting as Global Fund ambassador. The campaign seeks to generate public support for maintaining or increasing the funding contributed by national governments to aid international HIV efforts. Treatment of HIV during pregnancy and after labour significantly reduces the risk of transmission to babies, during pregnancy, labour or breast-feeding.