Issues Affecting African Children #2- Namibian Babies and HIV/AIDS

This week, I came across an article about a Namibian project that attempted to stop the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child. Women were given a breast milk supplement to feed to their new babies, since breast milk is one of the most common ways for the disease to transfer to children. Out of 152 babies born to HIV positive mothers, only 8 tested positive for the disease at the end of 12 months.

We hear a great deal about children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, and this is certainly a discussion for another post. Yet, more and more children are not only orphaned by the disease, they carry it as well. This project, which sadly has come to an end, may be a start to help reduce those numbers. Is it worth it to spend the money on formula so children are not infected, or is this even an avenue to pursue? Should more focus be given to Anti-Retroviral Treatments, research, or HIV/AIDS prevention? If you can, read the article and post your thoughts on these questions or the article in general.