Despite advancements in medical science, thousands of infants around the world continue to be born with preventable infections such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis-B. Health experts are urging governments to take decisive action to ensure that all children are born free from these infections by the year 2030.
Recent studies show that vertical transmission—where infections are passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding—affects countless families. Without adequate treatment, the risk of an HIV-positive mother passing the virus to her child can be as high as 45%. Similarly, without vaccination, a significant percentage of infants born to mothers with hepatitis-B can develop chronic infections.
In light of this pressing issue, organizations like UNICEF, WHO, and UNAIDS have launched a roadmap aimed at achieving the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of these three infections in the Asia-Pacific region. This roadmap, extending from 2024 to 2030, builds on existing frameworks to enhance health services for mothers and children.
According to the source, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, a prominent HIV medical expert in India, emphasized the importance of effective tools and treatments already available. He stated, “We can and must ensure every child born to HIV-positive mothers is HIV-free. There is no excuse for any further delay.”
The roadmap outlines several key strategies that need to be implemented, including:
Antenatal Screening: Regular testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis-B among expecting mothers and their partners.
Treatment Services: Comprehensive care and treatment options for women who test positive for these infections.
Safe Delivery Practices: Ensuring safe childbirth and appropriate infant feeding methods.
Vaccination Programs: Administering hepatitis-B vaccines to newborns to prevent infection.
Asia-Pacific is particularly affected, with approximately 120,000 children living with HIV in the region as of 2023. Indonesia, India, and Papua New Guinea account for a significant portion of new infections among children. While there has been a notable decline in new infections since 2010, progress has plateaued, resulting in over 10,000 new cases of HIV among children in just one year.
The hepatitis-B virus poses another challenge, with many individuals undiagnosed and untreated, especially in lower-income regions. Vaccination rates for hepatitis-B remain high in wealthier countries, while poorer nations struggle with rates below adequate levels.
According to the source, Experts stress the necessity for better health policies and community engagement to address these disparities. “Poor people do not have access to information and are still facing a lack of equity in the healthcare system,” explained Aya Oktariani from the Indonesia Positive Women Network.
Thailand is highlighted as a success story, having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as early as 2016. Other countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka, have followed suit, demonstrating that with appropriate measures, these infections can indeed be minimized or eradicated.
As the deadline to achieve the goal of zero mother-to-child transmissions of these preventable infections by 2030 approaches, health professionals and advocates call on all nations to prioritize the health of future generations, ensuring that no child begins life with a preventable disease.
-Rashmi Kumari
