The Ministry of Health is continuing its efforts to prevent unborn babies of HIV-positive mothers from contracting the virus.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr. Jemesa Tudravu said medical professionals remain committed to strengthening services aimed at reducing mother-to-child transmission.
“This is a huge concern for us in the ministry because the numbers keep growing and we are trying all avenues to try and stop the rise.”
Dr Tudravu said frontline health workers are actively exploring new strategies to ensure fewer infants are born with HIV.
“The rising numbers show us that there gaps that need to addressed urgently in our services. So everyone directly involved in this area are working together with stakeholders to see what we can do together to prevent this climb in numbers before it gets out of hand.”
The challenge is among several pressing health concerns, including infrastructure, being addressed at the three-day National Health Summit in Suva, which concludes tomorrow.
