Please help prevent HIV in babies

[positivewomen]

Dear Mumsnet
In the UK a woman with HIV is able have a baby without passing on HIV, thanks to HIV treatment and by not breast feeding. Formula milk is available free, except if the mum is a failed asylum seeker or a visa overstayer. In both cases the mother does not receive assistance and is likely to be in poverty. By resorting to breast feeding, there is a 25% chance of passing HIV to her baby.

Positively UK (an HIV support and information organisation) received donations of formula milk from a manufacturer, and acted as a depot for distributing the milk to the mothers to prevent HIV transmission

Now this supply has ended and Doctors are not permitted to prescribe formula milk unless the baby has a condition requiring this.
At the moment we are failing to protect healthy babies at home, whilst supporting programmes overseas to prevent HIV transmission.
The number of babies in the UK for whom this is a reality is small, they are unlikely to be in the UK longterm. The consequences of an HIV diagnosis in infancy are huge and in these cases preventable.
Please can Mumsnet help us to protect the health of these babies by campaigning to include free formula milk for all HIV positive mothers?

[paarrp]

Try posting under Mumsnet Campaigns

Is formula milk is free if you are a HIV+ve UK citizen?

[aajc]

I would think that any way of preventing the spread of HIV to babies has to be supported whether they are UK citizens or not. The prevention of the spread of HIV anywhere should be a priority and Doctors should not be in a position of waiting for a positive diagnosis before prescribing formula. Surely this is a very good example of prevention is better than cure as it is so cost effective, not to mention humane.

[positivewomen]

Dear paarp yes formula milk is available to HIV positive UK citizen mothers.

[positivewomen]

Dear aajc

You are right providing formula milk will prevent the baby becoming HIV positive. It will take a long time to change the ruling on Dr's being able to prescribe formula milk, but quicker to alter the ruling. We are giving evidence at the House of Lords committee on HIV prevention and will be drawing attention to
this problem. It will help get the change to have some support from mumsnet