ViiV Healthcare announces 16 new grantees for 2011/2012 to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission

ViiV Healthcare, the HIV/AIDS joint venture of UK drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and US behemoth Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), says it has awarded around £3.9 million ($6.1 billion) to 16 organizations in eight countries, through its Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF).

This round of grants spans eight countries, where ViiV recognizes that there is the greatest need. In addition to Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, where we have previously supported programs; it has broadened its reach to Mozambique, Russia and Sierra Leone. Out of the 16 organizations to receive large grants, four are based in Ethiopia where, according to PEPFAR, women account for over half of the 1.5 million people living with HIV. Each year 70,000 births are from women living with HIV and maternal-to-child transmission of HIV accounts for over 90% of new childhood infections and 14% of all HIV transmission in Ethiopia. The Positive Action for Children Fund will support programs in Ethiopia which aim to deliver continued use of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services and prevent unintended pregnancies.

Dominique Limet, chief executive of ViiV Healthcare, commented: "These new partnerships through the Positive Action for Children Fund demonstrate our commitment to improving access and standard of care to communities of people living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a challenge that crosses borders and touches many communities, hence our push to support a diverse range of projects and expand the Positive Action for Children Fund's geography. This year, loss to follow up was identified as a key focus area for the majority of applicants. We are pleased that 60% of the programs we are supporting respond to this issue."