The PMTCT program in AFRO is guided by the WHO global health sector strategies for 2016–2021 on HIV and sexually transmitted infections that set the targets of achieving zero new infections among infants by 2020
PMTCT key functions:
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To provides technical support and normative guidance to member states to develop, strengthen, implement and evaluate policies, strategies and programmes for Prevention
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Promote and provide support to the validation of the Elimination of mother-to-child transmission for HIV (EMTCT) and Elimination of congenital syphilis (ECS) in African Region in line with the Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation: elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
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To improve uptake of antenatal services, HIV & syphilis testing and treatment during pregnancy, safe childbirth practices and appropriate infant feeding as well as uptake of infant HIV testing, treatment and retention
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To proactively collect, analyze and show regional trends of MTCT
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To strengthen partnership and PMTCT network with other partners for the exchange of experiences and data in order to promote an integrated approach for PMTCT, EMTCT and ECS.
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To foster integration of activities related to HIV and Syphilis in women and children within FRH cluster[1] and with Communicable Disease cluster