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New York Times, June 10th, 2007
June 10, 2007
Children and AIDS (1 Letter)
To the Editor:
“New AIDS Cases in Africa Outpace Treatment Gains” (news article, June 6) makes an excellent argument about the critical importance of prevention programs in responding to the AIDS crisis in Africa.
It misses a critical point, however, in addressing mother-to-child transmission. Prevention of H.I.V. in infants must be linked to ongoing treatment for mothers; babies whose mothers die are up to 10 times more likely to die themselves.
It is neither ethical nor practical to prevent a child from dying of AIDS, only to condemn that child to a likely death because he or she has been deprived of a mother’s care and love. This is only postponing tragedy, not preventing it.
Ann M. Starrs
Executive Vice President, Family Care International
New York, June 6, 2007 |
