Bihar Hosts National Review & Capacity Building Meet on Eliminating Vertical Transmission of HIV & Syphilis

Under the guidance of National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Bihar State AIDS Control Committee, Health Department, Government of Bihar, Patna is organizing a National Review and Capacity Building Meeting on the subject of Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis on 12th and 13th February 2025 at Hotel Lemon Tree. The main objective of this meeting is to review the work done towards the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis and to enhance the capacity of the concerned officials / workers, so that the spread of these infections can be stopped and their vertical transmission can be eliminated in India by the year 2030. In this meeting, data and reports received from various states are to be reviewed, in which it is seen how effective the efforts to prevent vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis have been at present and where improvements are needed. In this meeting, about 150 participants nominated by National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India including Additional Secretary cum Director General, Deputy Director General-BSD, CST, PMR and other senior officers/advisors and all the State AIDS Control Committees of the country will participate. Also, other related participants will join through video conferencing.

Elimination of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis means preventing the transmission of diseases like HIV and syphilis from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. This is also called "Mother-to-child transmission" (MTCT).

Main goals:

1. Elimination of vertical transmission of HIV

The Government of India aims to completely eliminate the vertical transmission of HIV by 2030. This means implementing the necessary health measures to prevent the spread of infection from HIV-infected women to children.

2. Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Syphilis

The vertical transmission of syphilis is also targeted to be eliminated by 2030. It aims to protect pregnant women from syphilis infection and reduce the risk of infection to the baby during delivery.

To eliminate vertical transmission, the following measures are taken:

Regular testing of HIV and syphilis – Pregnant women are tested for HIV and syphilis, so that early diagnosis and treatment can be done.

Proper treatment – ​​If the woman has HIV or syphilis, she is given proper medical treatment, which can prevent the transmission of infection. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is used for HIV and antibiotics for syphilis.

Healthy Delivery – If a woman has HIV or syphilis, then such measures are taken during delivery, such as caesarean section (C-section) or special medicines, so that the child can be protected from infection.

Precautions in Breastfeeding – If an HIV infected mother is advised to breastfeed, then suitable therapy or options are followed, so that the child can be protected. If a woman has HIV or syphilis, then such measures are taken during delivery, such as caesarean section (C-section) or special medicines, so that the child can be protected from infection.

Precautions in Breastfeeding – If an HIV infected mother is advised to breastfeed, then suitable therapy or options are followed, so that the child can be protected.

Bihar State AIDS Control Committee, Health Department, Government of Bihar, Patna is committed to EVTHS in the state and all necessary work is being done in this direction