Parent to Child Transmission of HIV: Strategies for Prevention and Care in Lao PDR

The HIV epidemic has been spreading slowly in Lao PDR, and the prevalence remains low. Nevertheless there is potential for the epidemic to grow and much need for further prevention efforts and care and support initiatives. The National Committee for the Control of AIDS (NCCA) has overseen a wide range of responses and the development of an inter-sectoral National HIV/AIDS/STD Policy. UNICEF Vientiane has been responding to the new problems of the HIV epidemic since 1996. The HIV/AIDS Unit has supported a range of prevention and care initiatives with the government of Lao PDR, and a number of other partners. The NCCA has established a new Taskforce to address prevention and care in relation to mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. UNICEF Vientiane wishes to assist the Taskforce to develop appropriate national policies and strategies to address the problems raised by parent to child transmission of HIV.