Neftaly: Increasing ART Coverage Among HIV-Positive Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers to 95% by 2021

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains a significant public health concern in many regions. Without timely and effective treatment, the risk of transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding can be as high as 45%. However, with proper antiretroviral therapy (ART), this risk can be reduced to less than 5%.

Neftaly is committed to eliminating pediatric HIV transmission by increasing the percentage of all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers receiving ART to 95% by 2021.

The Challenge

Despite global progress in HIV prevention and treatment, gaps persist:

• Delayed diagnosis of HIV among pregnant women
• Limited access to ART services, particularly in rural and underserved areas
• Stigma and discrimination that discourage women from seeking care
• Weak referral systems between antenatal, postnatal, and HIV services
• Loss to follow-up, especially during the breastfeeding period

These barriers contribute to preventable HIV transmission and poor maternal and child health outcomes.

Neftaly’s Strategic Interventions

To meet the 95% ART coverage goal, Neftaly supports a multifaceted, people-centered approach:

1. Strengthening Early Diagnosis and Testing

• Scale up provider-initiated HIV testing in antenatal and maternal care settings
• Promote point-of-care rapid testing and same-day results
• Ensure partner testing and counseling where appropriate

2. Expanding Access to Lifesaving ART

• Decentralize ART services to primary healthcare clinics
• Integrate ART initiation into routine maternal and child health services
• Ensure continuous supply of ARVs through improved logistics and procurement systems

3. Supporting Retention in Care

• Use digital tools and community health workers to follow up with mothers and track adherence
• Provide peer support groups and mother mentor programs to reduce stigma and increase motivation
• Offer nutritional, psychological, and social support services to address broader barriers to care

4. Training Health Workers

• Train frontline healthcare providers on updated WHO PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) guidelines
• Strengthen case management skills to provide respectful, non-discriminatory care

5. Engaging Communities and Advocating for Policy Change

• Raise awareness about the importance of ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Mobilize community leaders and male partners to support women’s access to services
• Collaborate with ministries of health to embed PMTCT priorities in national HIV strategies

Measuring Success

Through coordinated action with local governments, civil society, and international partners, Neftaly aims to:

• Achieve 95% ART coverage for all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission to less than 5%
• Improve maternal health outcomes and increase HIV-free child survival
• Strengthen health systems for long-term sustainability