|Maureen Sakala, who was diagnosed with HIV while pregnant,
practices preparing prophylactic antiretroviral medicine for her
newborn son, Christopher, held by midwife Grace Kayumba at the
Chelstone Clinic in Lusaka, Zambia.| By Amy Bennett NEW YORK,
USA, 8 May 2009 – Almost every minute of every day, a baby is
infected with HIV, passed on by his or her mother during
pregnancy, labour or delivery. For many of these babies, early
diagnosis is their only chance of survival. To help address
their situation, renowned model and UNICEF UK Ambassador Claudia
Schiffer is featured in a new public service announcement on the
importance of early testing and treatment to save the lives of
infants who have HIV. As Ms. Schiffer notes in the PSA, infants
who are diagnosed and treated early on have a far higher chance
of survival than those who go untested and untreated. Mothers
can also prevent HIV transmission – and protect their own health
– by being tested and treated themselves during pregnancy.
Access to care and treatm