The partnership between the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) aims to improve HIV screening as part of antenatal care, in order to reduce the risk of the vertical transmission of HIV during pregnancy.
Problem: The rate of HIV infection in Gabon is high and pregnant women in particular are exposed to a higher risk of infection. The lack of knowledge on the part of midwives and doctors is a quality gap in the provision of health care, which entails a higher risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Main activities: Within the scope of the partnership, training courses are held, providing theoretical and practical training in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV, HIV and malaria co-infection during pregnancy, and HIV-associated co-infections during pregnancy. Doctors, nursing staff and midwives attend training. In future they are to act as multipliers.
Short-term results: The cooperation is to ensure high-quality treatment for pregnant women as well as raising awareness of the issue of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Long-term results: The sustainability of the project is to be ensured by establishing a network for trainers and developing treatment standards.