Interim Findings on the national PMTCT Pilot Sites

This report primarily describes the process, progress and extent of service implementation in the 18 pilot PMTCT sites, so as to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of PMTCT services and inform any planned expansion of the programme. Data and information is based on discussions and interviews with managers, coordinators and clinicians site visits routine statistics document reviews and attendance of national PMTCT steering committee meetings. The report does not provide data on the impact of the programme on HIV transmission or health outcomes, mainly because the programme is still too young for this. However, Section 6 presents and discusses what is currently known about mother-to-child transmission, including the proven efficacy of NVP. It also discusses the effects of different forms of infant feeding on HIV transmission and child health, and raises a number of important policy issues.