Project Report
| Jul 6, 2021
Bringing Effective HIV Prevention Treatment
By Lucy Tian | GAIA VF Intern
![]()
When given effective antiretroviral treatment (ARVs), newborn babies of HIV+ mothers avoid developing HIV. If given throughout pregnancy, the chances of the child being infected is near zero. When given to the newborn within their first three months of life, they are 3/4 less likely to die from an AIDS-related disease.
In 2019, a close investigation revealed that only 21 percent of pregnant women living with HIV in Mali received effective antiretrovirals for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. According to the UNICEF Data Warehouse, this is also a dramatic drop from previous years where 25 percent and higher of HIV+ mothers received effective antiretrovirals.
It is in this gap where GAIA Vaccine Foundation steps in. In 2020, despite the additional logistical barriers of the COVID-19 pandemic and a coup d'état, the Chez Rosalie Mother-to-Child-Transmission Prevention program treated 1,352 HIV+ women. Of their newborns, zero tested positive for HIV.
Support the incredible work of the Chez Rosalie program today!
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
Jul 1, 2021
Continuing The Work!
By Katia Ryan | GAIA VF Intern
![]()
GAIA Vaccine Foundation prides itself in having no babies born HIV positive at Hope Center Clinic. This is a moment to celebrate, but not a moment to pause the work done to get here. GAIA VF is able to offer this standard of care due to the combined effort of testing pregnant women, along with education programs, and access to care.
Unfortunately, there is an extremely limited quantity of COVID-19 vaccines available in Mali and the threat of the pandemic is still a major concern. This creates barriers in the access of testing, care, and also creating a higher risk of transmission. Now more than ever, we must continue to offer these services in new ways. A recent study conducted at our clinic included the use of Pratt Pouches for HIV positive pregnant women. This pouch contains a small dosage of antiretroviral drugs to deliver to newborn babies to prevent the transmission of HIV. The convenience of this pouch allows this medicine to be administered at home and contains a shelf life of 9-12 months. Unfortunately, this pouch is not yet widely available.
Your donation to the Born Free of HIV in West Africa campaign allows GAIA VF to continue to keep up the work we have seen truly impacts of the lives of those in the Sikoro community. A donation of $25 supports HIV testing for five women at our clinic. We believe there are the resources and technologies available to prevent all babies being born HIV free. Help us offer the solutions to keeping this true in Mali.
Thank you for your support!
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
Oct 23, 2020
Preventing HIV Infection During the Pandemic
By Liam McLoughlin | GAIA Vaccine Foundation Volunteer
![]()
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malian children are more vulnerable than ever. Due to an overburdened health care system and decreased access to mother-to-child HIV prevention services, children are more likely to be born with HIV.
The Imperial College of London estimates that HIV-related deaths in high-burden areas could increase by 10% due to the effects of COVID-19. Extra help and generosity will be needed to provide supplies, adapt HIV services and help ensure that COVID-19 will not be fought at the expense of HIV/AIDS.
GAIA Vaccine Foundation provides free HIV testing, counseling and treatment to mothers to reduce the number of children born with HIV. Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to treatment and continuity of care for people living with HIV, these services are more important than ever.
With your generosity and support, we can continue to ensure children in Mali are born free of HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Share on Twitter]()
![Share on Facebook]()
