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Global AIDS Program in Cambodia Helps Prevent HIV Transmission from Mother to Child
(11/27/2006) by Centers for Disease Control
Cambodia is facing one of the most serious generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia. However, political support by the Cambodian government coupled with international support has led to a decrease in HIV prevalence among high-risk groups, and HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) has been relatively stable over the past several years (2.2% in 2003).
To stem the tide of its HIV epidemic the Cambodian government began a prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) pilot project in 2001. Since then approximately 22 additional PMTCT sites have been opened throughout the country with the assistance of various international organizations, including GAP Cambodia.
With funding from the U.S. Government, GAP Cambodia supported the opening of two PMTCT sites in one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence areas in the country, Banteay Mean Chey Province. Since these sites opened in October 2003, 2,500 pregnant women have become aware of their HIV status. In addition, all HIV-positive women delivering at the two health centers, and their newborns, have received single dose nevirapine.
Outpatient clinic serves HIV-positive women/children
To improve the longevity and quality of life for HIV-positive mothers and their children, GAP Cambodia supported an outpatient AIDS clinic in Banteay Mean Chey where HIV- positive individuals are screened for initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART). The clinic has only been open less than a year, but has already met its target of starting approximately 100 HIV-positive individuals on ART. A specified number of these ART slots have been designated for HIV-positive mothers participating in the PMTCT program.
While Cambodia’s National PMTCT program is still in its infancy, the government has indicated its intent to provide PMTCT services throughout Cambodia. With the help of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the PMTCT Secretariat plans to expand the PMTCT program to 16 additional sites within the next year.
GAP Cambodia has provided a PMTCT Technical Advisor to directly assist the Secretariat with this process. The Technical Advisor helped the Secretariat create a detailed work plan of activities, as well as detailed budgets and terms of reference for all members of the Secretariat.
To ensure that staffs at new PMTCT sites are properly trained in HIV/AIDS and PMTCT, GAP Cambodia is supporting the adaptation and use of the PMTCT Generic Training Package developed by CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). This curriculum will provide, for the first time, PMTCT managers and coordinators with critical information on not only the basics of HIV/AIDS but also on a variety of PMTCT topics.
Source: www.cdc.gov
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