Born Free of HIV in West Africa

90% of the time, HIV transmission from mother to newborn occurs during childbirth. During the other 10%, this transmission occurs through breastfeeding. Without access to proper HIV treatment or preventative care, there is an extremely high chance that a child born to a mother with HIV will contract the virus as well. However, if this HIV treatment is introduced prior to childbirth and breastfeeding, the transmission can be prevented nearly 100% of the time. 

Our Born Free of HIV in West Africa program works to introduce HIV treatment to all pregnant women who partake in the program, in order to minimize the chance of the child contracting the virus. GAIA Vaccine Foundation has tested every child whose mother had undergone the program, and found that not a single one tested positive for HIV —a 100% success rate. 

The Born Free of HIV in West Africa program has seen thousands of women, and prevented thousands of children from contracting HIV through tailored care and easy access to treatment. With your generous donations, we will be able to continuously supply our diligent doctors and healthcare workers with the necessary healthcare tools. 

With a donation of $25, you would be supporting HIV testing for five women in one clinic where over 3,000 tests are done yearly. With a donation of $50, you would be supporting all the laboratory tests for one mother during her prenatal period, which includes an ultrasound. We thank you for your continuous and ongoing donations, as we continue to ensure the health and wellness of the next generation of Malians.

With access to the proper treatment, women infected with HIV can prevent the spread of the virus to their unborn child. When this care is introduced during pregnancy and prior to breastfeeding, the odds of the child contracting HIV plummet, making it vital for expectant mothers to gain access to preventative treatment.  

Without access to HIV treatment, transmission of HIV from mother to child takes place during birth 90% of the time, and 10% of the time during breastfeeding. However, with the introduction of proper HIV preventative treatment, there is a 100% chance that the newborn will not contract HIV. 

Born Free of HIV in West Africa has been testing all babies born to HIV positive mothers who underwent treatment, and found that every child was free of HIV. While examining the long term impact, GAIA Vaccine Foundation has tested over 15,000 pregnant women at our Hope Center Clinic in Bamako, and is continuing to provide care and treatment to women in order to prevent the spread of HIV to their children. 

By donating to the Born Free of HIV initiative, you would be contributing to the health and wellness of not only Malian mothers, but their children. With a donation of $25, you would be supporting HIV testing for five women in the clinic. With a donation of $50, you would be supporting all of the laboratory tests for one mother during her prenatal period, which includes an ultrasound. Your donations are greatly appreciated, and help GAIA Vaccine Foundation to achieve their goal of stopping the transmission of HIV from mother to child.