Representatives from 20 countries agreed on ambitious new targets to eliminate parent-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis at the 10th Asia Pacific Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis Task Force Meeting.
With the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), representatives agreed on the new targets and made strong pledges to improve maternal and child health care.
"Great progress has been made in Asia and the Pacific to prevent parent-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis," said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
"WHO has established global criteria and a formal process for the validation of elimination of parent-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and is ready to help countries to meet the criteria," he added. "Some countries in the Region have progressed to eliminate these infections and are almost ready for validation. Others are committed to do so."
Asia-Pacific countries agreed to accelerate the delivery of high-impact HIV and syphilis prevention and treatment services to parents and children. Nearly two thirds of the countries committed to reaching the elimination of parent-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2020.
“Asia and the Pacific is one of the world’s most dynamic regions, often setting the pace for development,” said Steve Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific. “Many countries have accomplished feats that seemed impossible, so with the political resolve of leaders, the commitment of communities, an AIDS-free generation in the region is a reality within the next five years.”
Improving health care for mother and child
With 21 000 new HIV infections among children in the region in 2014 alone, governments agreed on a series of ways to improve health care for both child and mother, particularly for those affected by HIV.
Early diagnosis is critical if HIV and syphilis infections are to be prevented and treated in mothers and infants. Currently only about a third of infants living with HIV are diagnosed early enough.
“Governments have shown great commitment towards eliminating HIV and syphilis and we will work with them to ensure this translates into live saving interventions throughout Asia-Pacific,” said Daniel Toole, Regional Director at UNICEF East Asia Pacific.
“Improving maternal care to help mothers and babies earlier, and more often, and utilizing innovative technologies are critical if we are to create a generation free of AIDS,” he added.
While antenatal care coverage is generally good, experts say, antenatal visits must be increased to ensure that women give birth in safe health facilities and are attended by skilled health personnel. In addition, HIV and syphilis services must be more closely linked to maternal services.
Validation of elimination
In order to certify elimination, countries must review country status and submit national validation report to the Regional Validation Secretariat. WHO determines whether a country has met global criteria and can be officially validated.
Cuba became the first country to officially eliminate parent-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in June.
Thailand is close to being validated for the elimination of HIV, while Sir Lanka is close to eliminating syphilis. Many countries, say United Nations officials, have shown strong commitment towards eliminating HIV and syphilis.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
About UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response.
About WHO
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations’ system. We do this by providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed; shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation; articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options; providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; and monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.