Pregnant women encouraged to test for HIV
Addressing a launching ceremony in
“It’s very important to help pregnant mothers access early diagnosis and take timely intervention measures in order to mitigate perinatal HIV transmission,” Trong pointed out.
Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quan Huan said during the month from June 1-30, services are available in 225 sites across the country, where pregnant women will be provided with voluntary HIV tests, antiretroviral drugs to prevent perinatal transmission and powder milk for babies born to HIV-infected mothers.
An estimated 6,000 pregnant women catch HIV annually in
If HIV-infected pregnant women take timely interventions the perinatal transmission rate will reduce to just five %, thus saving over 1,600 newborns from the risks.
However, most of HIV-infected mothers in