title: Overcoming Health System Challenges for Women and Children Living With HIV Through the Global Plan.
abstract: To meet the ambitious targets set by the Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive (Global Plan), the initial 22 priority countries quickly developed innovative approaches for overcoming long-standing health systems challenges and providing HIV testing and treatment to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants. The Global Plan spurred programs for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission to integrate HIV-related care and treatment into broader maternal, newborn, and child health services; expand the effectiveness of the health workforce through task sharing; extend health services into communities; strengthen supply chain and commodity management systems; reduce diagnostic and laboratory hurdles; and strengthen strategic supervision and mentorship. The article reviews the ongoing challenges for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs as they continue to strive for elimination of vertical transmission of HIV infection in the post-Global Plan era. Although progress has been rapid, health systems still face important challenges, particularly follow-up and diagnosis of HIV-exposed infants, continuity of care, and the promotion of services that are respectful and client centered.
authors.affiliation: *Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; †HIV/AIDS Section United Nations Children's Fund, New York, NY; ‡Department of Preventive Services, Reproductive and Child Health Section, PMTCT Programme Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania; §Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maputo, Mozambique; ‖Ministry of Health, Maseru, Lesotho; and ¶Ministry of Health, N'Djamena, Republic of Chad.
authors.forename: Surbhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Tegan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Mwikemo D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kajoka
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Judite O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Langa
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urso
authors.forename: Matsepeli I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Nchephe
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bongdene
authors.forename: Sostena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Laura N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Broyles
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014480:United Nations