The need for action and support

A global effort is needed to promote the updating and scaling up of interventions to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. Furthermore, there is an ethical imperative to support the introduction of the shorter zidovudine regimen in countries in which trials have been completed, and to encourage the initiation of such interventions in countries which have the capacity and willingness to support them. Recognising the urgency of the situation and at the same time the fact that it will take time to mobilise new resources for these interventions, it is recommended that a phased approach be taken in the introduction of such interventions. Such an approach would tailor implementation to utilise fully and immediately existing national and local capacities, with a concrete plan to build on these initial efforts over time. Where the capacity to implement these interventions is limited, efforts should begin immediately to increase capacity, with a plan to introduce these interventions as soon as possible.