Issued by Ministry of Health
12 March 2007
More than 80% of government clinics are currently providing prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV service and the target is to have these services available in all clinics by December 2007, Acting Health Minister Jeff Radebe said in an answer to a parliamentary question.
"To date there are 3 382 out of 3 663 primary health care facilities (clinics) are offering Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. This represents 83% of public health clinics," said Minister Radebe.
He said the PMTCT programme, supported by Conditional Grants, is expanding rapidly. As part of the accelerated prevention strategy, it is expected that all clinics rendering antenatal care services should be providing PMTCT services by December 2007.
At least 580 880 pregnant women accessed the PMTCT services during the calendar year 2006. Of these, 74 052 antenatal clients received Nevirapine prophylaxis.
A total of 19 758 babies born to mothers living with HIV were tested for HIV infection. 16 288 babies tested HIV-negative while 3 470 babies tested HIV-positive
Contact: Sibani Mngadi @ 0827720161