********************************

From September 1, all clients attending the Maternal and Child Health Centres of the Department of Health (DH) and the Antenatal clinics of Hospital Authority (HA) hospitals will be offered the HIV test as part of routine antenatal blood testing without additional charge.

A spokesman for DH, said today (August 16) that staff at the centres and clinics would provide clients with information about the test, its value and implications.

"The client has freedom to choose whether to receive the test or not. Where there is concern, they are welcome to discuss with the staff."

The spokesman said: "Women infected by the HIV virus may not have any symptom or discomfort. But, she runs a 15 per cent to 40 per cent chance of passing the virus to her baby during pregnancy, delivery or while breast-feeding.

"It will be already too late by the time symptoms are manifested in the nursing mother or child.

Screening during pregnancy enables early detection of HIV infection in the mother and allows prompt intervention.

"Normally, the treatment comprises the use of drugs acting against the virus, which are given in the course of pregnancy, during delivery and to the baby after birth."

"Early detection and treatment has been proven to be effective in reducing the chance of mother-to-child HIV transmission by two-thirds."

The spokesman said that all information relating to screening results would be kept strictly confidential. Knowledge of a screen positive result would enable the pregnant woman to make the best decision and preparation for her pregnancy as well as for subsequent care of her child.

Professional care and counseling will be offered to HIV infected mothers and babies, through specialist services of DH and HA.

The test can also be available from the private sector.

HIV screening programme is developed in line with international development. It parallels strategy advocated by the United Nations, and has been adopted in accordance with the recommendations of the Government-appointed Advisory Council on AIDS.

Mother-to-child transmission is one of the routes of HIV infection. As at the end of June 2001, this has accounted for 13 out of 1636 reported infections in Hong Kong. Other routes of transmission include sexual intercourse and needle-sharing.

"The new programme, when fully implemented, is expected to markedly reduce the number of babies born with the infection to no more than one to two per year, " the spokesman said.

Worldwide, an estimated 600,000 children have acquired HIV in the year 2000. Mother-to-child transmission accounted for 90% of these infections.

More information about HIV/AIDS can be obtained through the AIDS Hotline at 27802211 or the website: www.info.gov.hk/aids

End/Thursday, August 16, 2001

NNNN