The Regional Initiative for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean, also known as the "Elimination Initiative", is a multi-agency effort to integrate the services of prevention and diagnosis of

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

and syphilis within the framework of primary care services, prenatal, sexual, reproductive and family health. Typically, prevention of the mother-to-child transmission of

and

congenital syphilis Congenital syphilis is syphilis present ''in utero'' and at birth, and occurs when a child is born to a mother with syphilis. Untreated early syphilis infections results in a high risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, including saddle nose, lower extr ...

has been addressed separately. The initiative was launched in 2009 by

UNICEF UNICEF (), originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to ...

PAHO The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency working to improve the health and living standards of the people of the Americas. It is part of the United Nations system, serving as the Regional Office for ...

, the Latin American Center for Perinatology (CLAP) and partner organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean and intends to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and of congenital syphilis in the region by 2015.

Objectives

The main objective of this initiative is to eliminate congenital syphilis and mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2015. Strategies and action plans related to the initiatives will be implemented in the Region beginning 2009 until 2015. To achieve their main goal, the initiative proposes an integrated approach to prevention; improve the prenatal coverage, diagnosis and early treatment of pregnant women in the region. It also recognizes the need to reinforce the integration of primary health care systems and improve information systems. Specific targets set for 2015 are as follows: # Reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to 2% or less. # Reduction of the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection to roughly 0.3 cases per 1,000 live births. # Reduction of incidence of congenital syphilis to 0.5 cases or less, including stillbirths per 1,000 live births.

History

* 2004: The Regional Plan of HIV/STI was presented to the Health Sector 2006–2015, during the PAHO 46th Meeting of the Directing Council; * 2005: PAHO published the frame of reference for the elimination of the congenital syphilis in the Americas; * 2007: The CARICOM health ministers endorse the Elimination Initiative; * 2009 (December): Publication of basic documents of the Elimination Initiative: the Concept Paper, Clinical Guidelines, and Regional Monitoring Strategy: * 2010 (March):

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (or simply the Global Fund) is an international financing and partnership organization that aims to "attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, ...

launched a report in which estimates that the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for 2015 is an attainable goal; * 2010 (April): The

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of ...

launched a document that urges the international community to establish new and more ambitious objectives that promote the progress toward the elimination of child HIV for 2015.PMTCT STRATEGIC VISION 2010–2015: Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV to reach the UNGASS and Millennium Development Goals (WHO, 2010)

References

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External links

Schmid GP, Stoner BP, Hawkes S, Broutet N. The need and plan for global elimination of congenital syphilis. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (July suppl.)2007;34(7):S5-S10

Latin American Perinatology Center (CLAP)
HIV/AIDS prevention organizations International medical and health organizations