HIV infection has become a global pandemic. It has already killed 20 million people since the beginning of the epidemic and it has infected 36 million people, almost half of them are women and majority of them are in the child bearing  age group. About 5 million children have acquired HIV infection and more than 90% is through mother to child transmission.

In India there are about 25 million births every year and the average sero prevalence rate of HIV during pregnancy is around 1% and with the risk of transmission from mother to child being 25-30%, it has been estimated that about 7,00,000 HIV infected neonats are born every year. In other words, about 1,600 babies are born with HIV infection daily.

The transmission of HIV infection could occur during pregnancy, delivery and through breast-feeding.

Considering the importance of this mode of transmission, Govt. of India (NACO) has decided to scale up Presentation of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV. (PPTCT Programme) in the entire country in a phase manner. Induction training of the PPTCT team from J. N. Medical College, Belgaum was done in the month of April 2002 and the team comprised of Dr. V. D. Patil, Consultant Paediatrician ; Dr. Shobhana S. Patted, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist; Dr. C. S. Patil, Chief Microbiologist; Dr. Anjali Joshi, Counselor & Mrs. Meena Chavan, Senior Staff Nurse.

The PPTCT Programme has been implemented at K.L.E. Society’s Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum, from 2nd September 2002. A counselling room has been established in the OPD Block - Dept. of OBG (Room No. 10), K.L.E. Society’s Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. All pregnant women attending antenatal clinic are encouraged to undergo group education session through a structured talk. The talk emphasis on routine prenatal care advice and key HIV messages are normally highlighted. At the end of session all women are offered HIV testing after obtaining informed Consent. If test result is positive then the counseling is done on an one to one basis. The issues of partner notification, intervention to reduce MTCT, role of antiretroviral drugs are discussed. Confidentiality is maintained.

During the delivery the expectant mother is given Tab. Nevirapine , 200 mg single dose, and the baby is given Nevirapine syrup 2 mg/kg within 72 hrs after the birth as single dose. The mother is counseled about perinantal transmission through breast milk. Ideally top milk is preferred rather than breast feeding.

Dr. V. D. Patil

Principal and Professor and HOD of Paediatrics,
Chairman PPTCT Programe,
J. N. Medical College, Belgaum.

Dr. Shobhana S. Patted

Consultant Obstetrician Co-Ordinator,
PPTCT Programme,
J. N. Medical College, Belgaum.

Activities of PPTCT Programme

• PPTCT programme  at K. L. E. Society Hospital and Medical Research center Belgaum was launched on 2nd   September 2002

• A Sensitisization programme was conducted at the Hospital premises on 17th  September 2002 for the staff and post graduate students of the departments of obstetrics and Gynecology , Pediatrics  and  Preventive and Social medicine and Nursing personnel from Labor room  O. T. and pediatrics , a copy of the programme sheet is enclosed,

• Ms. Manjula  Hottagimth, Lab Technician and Ms. Renuka B. Halijolad , counselor have reported for duty on 25 th Sept. 2002.

• A meeting of the members of PPTCT programme was conducted on 14 Nov. 2002 at 4.00 pm., at the department of obstetrics and Gynecology , J. N. Medical College , Belgaum  to discuss :

  • Current status of PPTCT programme

  • Conduct of training programme for district level PPTCT team.

  • Deputation of staff for the training programme from various departments.

  • Formation of Core Group resource Personnel for HIV/ AIDS awareness programme.

• Delivered Guest lectures on HIV and Reproduction at KLE’s Society Hospital and Medical Research Center , Belgaum on the Eve of oberserving the world AIDS day on 1st December 2002 a copy of the programme sheet is enclosed.

• Delivered guest lecture on HIV and Reproduction at I.M.A. Hall Belgaum on 7th December 2002 during pediatrics meet

• Delivered guest on HIV and Reproduction for staff and Students at RLS College , Belgaum on 8th December 2002

• Conducted & Training for District level PPTCT Team (Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot) at  at KLES Society Hospital and Medical Research Center , Belgaum from 20th and 24th December 2002, a copy of the programme is enclosed.

• INITIATING A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH JNMC-UMKC RESEARCH TEAM ON ROLE OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE IN THE TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS.

• Dr. Stan, Research Epidemiologist from KANSAS City, US & Dr. NAGANAND BAHT , BAMS , from Udupi visited out PPTCT Center on 31st January 2003

• On 20th Feb 2003, Sensitization & the Hospital Staff was done around 150 Class IV workers 95 Staff Nurses & Lab Technicians.

• Visit by Dr. Rajamma, Faculty .

• Visit of Antony - UNICEF Consultant.