HIV-positive mums to get drug boost

A new treatment programme for HIV-positive mothers will be introduced to the universal healthcare scheme to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

The treatment is based on a recent study which found a combined anti-retroviral drug treatment is more effective in reducing the numbers of HIV-positive mothers developing Aids and also better reduces perinatal HIV transmission compared to that currently in use.

The two combinative drugs are also cheaper than the current treatment programme, according to the latest study by the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Programme.

The research was undertaken among pregnant women in four provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Sakaew, Satun and Si Saket between May 1 and Aug 31.

"The study result shows the current treatment programme is the most expensive compared to the studied regimens in terms of overall cost of Aids prevention for mother-to-child transmission,'' said Vichai Chokewiwat,  chairman of the National Health Security Office's sub-committee on the development of healthcare for people living with HIV/Aids.

The new treatment programme will be adopted for use with the universal healthcare scheme by October next year following the study recommendation, he said.