Improving maternal and child health is a global priority. An estimated 8.1 million children under the age of five die every year and an estimated 1 000 women – most of them in developing countries – die every day due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Many of these deaths are due to conditions that could be prevented or treated with access to simple, affordable medicines. However, the availability of medicines at public-health facilities is often poor.

This journal article focuses on family-centered care.

This paper outlines and discusses the evidence for supporting and integrating these key components and the evidence for barriers to implementation. It argues that recent science-based evidence on early neural development and the effects of deprivation and “toxic” stress on the young child is directly relevant for children affected by HIV/AIDS in resource-poor settings. Longterm, consistent, well-designed and aggressive intervention at this critical period in human development can make best use of synergistic opportunities to integrate PMTCT with ECD.

This publication provides guidance on adapting health services to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women living with HIV/AIDS. It contains recommendations for counseling, care and other interventions that are based on the available scientific evidence and accumulated programmatic experience.