AIDS has become a leading cause of illness and death among women of reproductive age in countries with a high burden of HIV infection. Infants born to women living with HIV can become infected during pregnancy, labour and delivery or later through breastfeeding.
More than 1400 children under 15 years of age become infected with HIV every day, most through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Children account for more than 10% of all new HIV infections.
In July 2009 GSK CEO Andrew Witty announced the new Positive Action for Children Fund “targeting NGOs and others working to prevent MTCT and who work with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)”. The Fund is an integral part of ViiV Healthcare's commitment to communities affected by HIV and AIDS: the company will invest £50 million in the Fund over the next ten years.
We are now working to create a programme that reflects our concern to improve the health and welfare of those hardest hit by the epidemic.
The shape of the new Positive Action for Children Fund will be determined in the coming months, which will then enable us to communicate details on the process for consideration of proposals for funding. Consultations with donors, researchers, NGOs and practitioners will help us determine the criteria for funding this programme.
It is clearly important to use this fund to complement existing programmes and where possible find new ways of meeting underserved or emerging priorities in this field.