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Govt urged to apply PMTCT policy

Government was urged to immediately implement the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) policy, that was announced early this year, the SA Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP) said on Tuesday.

"SAAHIP members urge Government not to hold back those facilities that are in a position to implement the revised policy immediately," said Estelle Victor, SAAHIP President.

The policy deals with the reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV, including the provision of dual therapy to HIV positive mothers and their infants.

Mothers and babies to get drug
HIV-positive mothers and their new-born infants will receive Zidovudine, a drug which is used for the prevention of HIV transmission from an infected mother to her foetus, Victor said. "Every possible step should be taken to ensure that Zidovudine, which is both widely used and available, is made available to the PMTCT programme.

"The public's constitutional right to access to health care services should be the guiding light when considering implementation of policies," Victor said. – (Sapa)

March 2008

Read more:
Dual HIV therapy to prevent MTCT
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