KwaZulu-Natal has become a success story in almost eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.
This is according to UN Programme on HIV/Aids executive director Michel Sidibé, who was addressing a press conference at the Office of the Premier in Durban last night.
Sidibé is in the country on a seven-day visit to learn more about the progress being made and difficulties faced by South Africa in its response to HIV.
“This holistic approach to accessing health and social services is not only efficient but effective, and serves as a model for other provinces, and indeed other countries across the region.”
Sidibé said it was remarkable how mother-to-child transmission had declined here, which indicated that pregnant women were being tested.
“We can reduce new infections by 96 percent if people start treatment early,” he said. - Daily News, page 2