What is Born to Live?
Without intervention, up to 40 percent of infants born to HIV-positive mothers will become infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Born to Live reduces the risk of HIV transmission by at least half by providing antiretroviral drug therapies (ART) for HIV-positive mothers and their children. The program combines voluntary HIV counseling and testing of expectant mothers with administration of antiretrovirals prior to and following delivery, to help prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
An Eight-Year Success Story
With support from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, CMMB initiated a full-scale PMTCT program in Mariannhill, South Africa in January 2002. That same year, CMMB also opened a pilot site in North Kinangop, Kenya. In 2004, CMMB was awarded a nationwide PMTCT award from USAID valued at $2.068 million USD for 3 years.
In Action: Kenya
Today, a total of 130 Born to Live clinics are currently active in all eight provinces of Kenya through USAID’s APHIA program and a generous grant from Abbott Laboratories. CMMB coordinates this program with the Mentor Mothers initiative, in which trained community members reach out and provide support to expectant mothers and refer them to a Born to Live clinic for antenatal services.
In Action: Haiti
CMMB provides on-site training, technical support, and medical supplies to two clinics in Port Au Prince which operate PMTCT programs. Through these programs, women receive HIV counseling and testing and are referred to nearby AIDSRelief clinics for treatment and support.
By the Numbers: 2010
Women counseled and tested for HIV: 58,359
Women receiving short-course ART: 1,906
