South African Breastmilk Reserve: PMTCT of HIV and INFANT FEEDING: Surprising policy developments with the promise of actual change

Abstract

Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) is one of the most controversial and crucial facets of the global fight against HIV. Vertical transmission is also one of the ‘cruellest’ and most delicate policy issues that the South African government has had to contend with for nearly a decade. The challenges of protecting unborn and newly born infants from the epidemic bring into relief not only the healthcare problems facing the country, but also the complex societal aspect of the epidemic. Stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with HIV pose as big an obstacle to the infant’s HIV free survival, as do the lack of infrastructure, resources and disparity in the provision of health.