Paying to waste lives: the affordability of reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in South Africa

Abstract

It is estimated that each HIV-positive child in South Africa costs the government more in terms of health and welfare expenses than it does to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV through the use of antiretroviral regimens (where the mother continues to breast-feed). Programmes to reduce MTCT of HIV/AIDS are, thus, clearly affordable. Using Nevirapine (according to the HIVNET 012 Protocol) saves fewer lives, but is more cost-effective than using Zidovudine (CDC 2 weeks regime).