Twelve African countries, including South Africa, plan to end Aids in children by 2030 through HIV testing, treatment and prevention programmes, the goal, initiated by UNAIDS last year, being backed by representatives from the 12 nations gathered in Dar es Salaam last Wednesday.
News24 reports that the oher 11 nations are Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
UNAIDS said a child dies from Aids-related causes every five minutes.
The Dar es Salaam Declaration was announced at the first ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance to end Aids in Children, which brings together the participating countries with UNAIDS and other health agencies.
“All of us must have a role to play to end Aids in children,” Tanzanian Vice-President Philip Mpango told the conference.
Just half of children living with HIV worldwide receive antiretroviral treatments that can stave off Aids, compared with three-quarters of adults with HIV.
The new plan includes early testing for children, increasing treatment for pregnant women with HIV, preventing infections among breastfeeding women and addressing rights and gender barriers that hinder access to services.
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More effort needed to reach 2030 targets in fight against HIV/Aids – AU