Born Free of HIV in West Africa

GAIA Vaccine Foundation supports the prevention of HIV by offering Free HIV testing at Hope Center Clinic in Sikoro, Bamako, Mali.

In 2021, 1451 pregnant women were tested for HIV. Testing helps ensure that mothers know their status and that if they are positive, measures can be taken to make sure the baby is born HIV free. Since the program was started, no baby born at Hope Center Clinic has been born HIV postive. 

Your support allows us to continue offering HIV tests to anyone who needs it in the Sikoro community. This is particuarly important among pregnant women. 

Thank you for your support to GAIA Vaccine Foundation! 

In 2020, Mali reported that approximately 110,000 children and adults are currently living with HIV. There are many organizations including UNAIDS and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that are working to decrease the number of new infections and help those that are currently infected. The CDC has assisted the country of Mali with developing a national surveillance strategy. Meanwhile, UNAIDs has introduced several preventative measures into the country including male/female condoms, providing pre-prophylaxis (PrEP), providing counseling on sexual behavior change, offering free and clean needles, and providing treatment for individuals living with HIV.

However, due to three key reasons, much work still needs to be done to decrease new infections. With the lack of political commitment, an unwillingness to educate the younger population about safe sex practices, and a lack of preventative measures put into place, much effort is still needed to make preventative practices successful.

Please consider donating to the Born Free of HIV Project so that children and adults can be provided with treatment and care.