Cambodia to Eradicate Mom-to-Child HIV

Cambodia's ministry of health has pledged to eradicate mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2020, an adviser says. Mean Chhiv Vun, who is also director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, says the nation's 36,077 HIV patients include 3,500 children being treated by the government.

Thanks to its campaign promoting 100% condom use, Cambodia is seen as a model for fighting AIDS. Official figures show that HIV prevalence among Cambodians ages 15 to 49 dropped from 2% in 2008 to 0.9% in 2008. The rate is expected to decline to 0.6% by 2012.

First lady Bun Rany has affirmed that the Cambodian Red Cross, which she chairs, as well as the government and other national and international organizations, are committed to supporting activities to prevent HIV and treat AIDS. She also reminded private companies that the practice of making job offers conditional upon the results of pre-employment blood tests is illegal.