African First Ladies Mobilize to End Transmission of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis

impact 06/30/16

African First Ladies Mobilize to End Transmission of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis

Zeina Henaine
Social Responsibility Ambassador

African First Ladies Mobilize to End Transmission of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis

Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) has launched an important initiative to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and syphilis in Africa by preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of these diseases.

As part of our commitment to expanding access to point-of-care diagnostics, Alere supports organizations on the ground that are doing extraordinary work to screen the world’s most vulnerable populations for serious infectious diseases. Alere is proud to partner with the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on one such initiative to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and syphilis in Africa by preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of these diseases.

Established in 2002 by 37 African First Ladies, OAFLA advocates for policies to eliminate HIV/AIDS, reduce maternal and child mortality and empower women and children throughout Africa. Since then, the First Ladies have used their position of influence to effect change and reduce health disparities in their own countries and across the continent. Among other achievements, OAFLA has made great strides towards increasing the number of young people who know their HIV status and on accelerating action on maternal neonatal and child health. OAFLA has demonstrated what can be accomplished when leaders come together to tackle global health challenges.

As OAFLA’s only private sector partner, Alere has donated 200,000 HIV/syphilis rapid tests to African countries to support the OAFLA initiative.

In 2015, Alere more than doubled its initial commitment, making it possible to reach another 500,000 pregnant women, infants, adolescents and other at-risk populations in Africa with testing and prevention services.

The African First Ladies are using their influence to support achieving the Global Fast Track 90-90-90 targets by 2020 and to address one of the region’s greatest needs in HIV and syphilis prevention – screening pregnant women. Alere is proud to support OAFLA in its efforts to improve maternal and infant health in Africa by providing a simple, easy-to-use platform for the simultaneous detection of HIV and syphilis, which can allow for the prevention of MTCT and for babies and their mothers to receive timely, life-saving treatment.

Our work with OAFLA is just one of many partnerships that Alere participates in to increase access to rapid diagnostic tests and to reduce disease burden in the most heavily affected communities. Such initiatives are crucial to translating diagnostic access into meaningful impact for people worldwide.

References