Kenya Episcopal Conference, U.S. Catholic Medical Mission Board Team Up to Prevent Vertical HIV Transmission in Kenya
Kenya Episcopal Conference, which provides 40% of all health care services in rural Kenya, and the U.S.-based Catholic Medical Mission Board together are launching an initiative to prevent vertical HIV transmission in Kenya. The groups have signed a memorandum of understanding that authorizes CMMB to implement a mother-to-child HIV prevention program, called Born to Live, in all of the hospitals, health centers and pharmacies owned by KEC. Born to Live, which has already been implemented in some Kenyan and South African facilities, provides on-site, confidential HIV testing and counseling and distributes antibiotics and the antiretroviral drug nevirapine, which can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 50%, to HIV-positive pregnant women and their infants. The program also offers breastfeeding alternatives for HIV-positive women to eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV through breastmilk. John Njue, KEC bishop chair, said, "KEC-affiliated hospitals are providing the infrastructure, and CMMB is providing the protocols, assessments, training and essential drugs and supplies for this life-saving program" (KEC/CMMB release, 10/14).
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