The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control（Taiwan CDC）today announced three new prevention policies to prevent vertical (mother-to-child) transmission of HIV to be implemented this year. The first prevention policy is to provide comprehensive HIV screening service, including HIV screening of pregnant women, rapid HIV antibody test during labor and delivery for high risk group, and HIV screening of newborns. The second prevention policy is to provide free medical treatment, including antepartum, intrapartum, and infant antiretroviral prophylaxis. The third prevention policy is to reinforce administration of medical care, including providing free formula milk, and conducting follow-up of HIV-exposed infants. In addition, a staff person is designated to assist infants taking medicines for 6 weeks.
Each year, about 200,000 babies are born in Taiwan. Since January 1, 2005, Taiwan CDC has been promoting free HIV screening of pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. Thus far, about 640,000 pregnant women were screened, and a total of 68 HIV infected cases were detected and ordered to complete prevention measures. Although the screening rate has increased, each year about 10,000 pregnant women still refuse screening or are not screened due to the lack of health insurance.
For infants whose mother’s HIV status is unknown, a rapid HIV antibody test of the mother is recommended as early in pregnancy as possible. Further, prompt institution of infant antiretroviral prophylaxis is also recommended to reduce perinatal HIV transmission when necessary. According to the law, beginning this year, infants and their mothers who are found by inspection without reports of HIV test during pregnancy or are considered by their physicians to need further examination are required to be tested for HIV. A total of 53 neonatal implementation of rapid HIV screening have been performed, and no newborn with suspected infection has been detected. To avoid consequences due to lack of knowledge or poverty and other factors, 9 cases have been offered the assistance of a designated staff person for follow-up medical treatment and medical care support.