The best practice as recommended by UNICEF and supported by NACO is followed. Messages will be consistent with the related program of RCH. Every effort should be made to promote exclusive breast feeding for up to four months in the case of HIV positive mothers followed by weaning, and complete stoppage of breast feeding at six months in order to restrict transmission through breast feeding.

However, such mothers will be informed about the risk of transmission of HIV through breast milk and its consequences, and would be helped for making informed choice regarding infant feeding.

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare convened a dialogue with the manufacturers of anti-retrovirals for HIV/AIDS, with a view to examine the feasibility of procuring and delivering ARVs through the public health system. As a result, a Working Group was constituted, chaired by Secretary Health, with the Director General, Health Services and Additional Secretary & Project Director NACO as members, together with CII, FICCI, and representatives of the different manufacturers of anti retroviral.

The Working Group has completed its deliberations. If the Government does proceed to introduce ant-retrovirals through the public health system, these will be delivered free of cost to the end consumer in government hospitals. While we over estimate people living with HIV/AIDS at the end of the year, we necessarily have to prioritise the beneficiary population which include HIV positive mothers who access the government health system through the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission clinics, HIV positive children below 15 years of age, and full blown AIDS cases who seek treatment in government hospitals.