Conference Convenes Under the Theme “Eliminate New HIV Infections In Children, Keep Mothers Alive”

This week, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MOH) and the National AIDS Council (NAC) partnered with the Foundation and other regional, national, and global health organizations to organize a national HIV and AIDS Conference in the capital city of Harare. On each day of the four-day conference, a separate technical component of PMTCT will be addressed: primary prevention; prevention of unintended pregnancies; prevention of vertical transmission; and assuring linkages to care, treatment and follow-up.











Zimbabwe has seen significant reductions in its nationwide HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults 18-49 (14.3% in 2009, compared to a high of 26.5% in 1997), due in large part to government commitment. However, the country still grapples with a very high burden of pediatric HIV infections – and has made prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) a top priority.










Zimbabwe affirmed its intent to meet its MTCT problem at this year’s United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, at which a comprehensive Global Plan for eliminating new pediatric HIV infections and preserving maternal health was unveiled. In doing so, Zimbabwe has joined a chorus of individuals, global health organizations, and governments that believe pediatric AIDS can be virtually eliminated with leadership, shared responsibility, and action by stakeholders worldwide.

For more information about the Foundation's work in Zimbabwe, visit our Zimbabwe country page.