Innovative solutions protect children from HIV/AIDS

The AIDS pandemic is one that was born and reached its peak in our lifetime—many still remember when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control first recognized the disease in 1981. Since then, it has caused the deaths of more than 46 million individuals. Today, through the work of UNICEF and its partners, we have an unprecedented opportunity to wipe the disease from this planet by virtually eliminating all new HIV infections among children within the next three years. How can we accomplish this? It starts by believing in zero.
Craig McClure, the Chief of HIV/AIDS at UNICEF, recently came to speak at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF office in New York. Jennifer Lee, who works for the Program Office, attended. This is what she learned. The AIDS pandemic is one that was born and reached its peak in our lifetime—many still remember when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control first recognized the disease in 1981. Since then, it has caused the deaths of more than 46 million individuals. Today, through the work of UNICEF and its partners, we have an unprecedented opportunity to wipe the disease from this planet by eliminating all new HIV infections among children within the next three years. How can we accomplish this? It starts by believing in zero. At the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, we believe that zero children should die from preventable causes. Yet 21,000 children still die unnecessarily each and every day. Zero is also a number that our UNICEF HIV/AIDS technical and field experts are trying to achieve. In 2010, the number of new HIV infections among children was 390,000, with 90% of these occurring in 22 priority countries*. While 390,000 is no small number, it was a significant drop from the 550,000 children who were newly infected in 2001. Seeing these gains in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV made the goal of elimination palpable—so much so that UNAIDS called for the elimination of new HIV infections in children by 2015. Their strategy has aptly been named “Getting to Zero.” By 2015, UNICEF, in partnership with UNAIDS, is committed to having zero new cases of HIV infection among the world’s children. UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign has two global targets for 2015: 1) to reduce the number of newly infected infants by 90%; and 2) to reduce new infections among young people (i.e., adolescents) by 50%. To achieve these targets, UNICEF is employing a number of cost-effective, innovative solutions, including:
  • Simplifying guidance for the immediate treatment of all pregnant women living with HIV;
  • Engaging men by scaling up couples testing and family planning;
  • Using mobile phone technology for the transmission of results, and retention in and adherence to care;
  • Scaling up community-based approaches to demand and service delivery.
These solutions will not only eliminate new HIV infections among children in the future, but will reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by women and children living withHIV. It will let them know that their lives have the same value as that of any other woman or child. Despite the unprecedented gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, further progress is threatened by financial pressure. Recently, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, in a high-level meeting for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, said, “The costs of prevention are relatively low, and the costs of inaction are unspeakably high. To achieve an AIDS-free generation, we must reach every child and every mother.” What was once thought impossible is possible and the ball, so to speak, is in our court. We have the tools to eliminate new HIV infections; the question is what will we do with them? Join UNICEF in achieving zero by uniting for children, uniting against AIDS. If you would like to help create awareness of the millions of children who die each year before reaching their fifth birthday, including from HIV/AIDS, join the Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday campaign by uploading a photo of yourself at age five.  *Priority countries are: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.