Unite against AIDS

Richard is just 13 days old. His mum is waiting to find out if he's been Born Free from HIV.
UNICEF UK/Caroline Irby

Did you know that UNICEF can work to drastically cut the number of children born with the HIV virus by giving them the right medication before they are even born?

If a mother is HIV-positive, her baby still has the chance to live a healthy normal life free of the virus. But sadly, due to lack of education and access to the proper medication, very few children are given that chance in poorer countries.

To prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), pregnant women with HIV need:

• Access to HIV testing – to identify mums and babies at risk
• Counselling – to give advice and support, whether the result is positive or negative
• Treatment (anti-retroviral medicines) for mum and baby
• HIV testing for babies

Only 33 per cent of pregnant women with HIV in poorer countries received the treatment needed to prevent their babies being born with the virus in 2007. Without treatment, half these babies will die before their second birthday.

But progress has been made. The percentage of HIV-positive pregnant women in developing nations receiving treatment to reduce the risk of transmission rose from 33 to 45 per cent from 2007-2008 – a huge achievement, especially when you consider that the figure was only 10 per cent in 2004. But more work needs to be done.

With your help and support, UNICEF's dedicated team can free babies from HIV. We can provide pregnant women and their babies in poorer countries with the the means to test for the HIV virus, and provide treatment and counseling for a happy and healthy future. Take a look at our Fundraising section for ideas on how to raise money for the campaign and enable us to help babies be Born Free from HIV.