But community engagement is missing or suboptimal in private sector, says Pooja Mishra of National Coalition of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus). Communities can help spur demand generation for the services related to Triple-H (HIV, hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C virus). Pooja complemented that public services related to prevention of vertical transmission of HIV are good in some places. NCPI Plus and partners continue to advocate for improving people-centred services.
30 children contract HIV every day in Asia Pacific
UNAIDS estimates that services to prevent vertical transmission of HIV have averted nearly 72,000 new HIV infections among children in the region since 2015. Yet in 2023, approximately 10,000 children were newly infected.
"Around 30 children contract HIV every day in this region," said Eamonn Murphy of UNAIDS. "No child should begin life with a disease we can prevent, and no family should miss out on the information, services and support to give their children an HIV-free start."
In most countries where antenatal data were available for all three diseases, hepatitis-B was the most prevalent infection, with rates sometimes several times greater than HIV or syphilis.
"Unfortunately, health is a huge privilege. Poor people do not have access to information and we are still facing a lack of equity in the healthcare system. Women living with HIV face stigma and discrimination including gender-based violence and gender-based inequalities," explained Aya Oktariani, National Coordinator of Iktan Perempuan Positif Indonesia (the Indonesia Positive Women Network or IPPI).
IPPI shows how community-led services can strengthen services to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. Their Mother Club ensures women living with HIV access treatment and maternal health services while ensuring their babies receive HIV prophylaxis and early infant diagnosis.
Thailand eliminated vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis in 2016
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