'Mma Bana' scores breakthrough for breastfeeding

The study found that HIV-infected mothers who take combinations of ARVs can safely breastfeed.  The study has shown that 99 percent of HIV infected women who enrolled for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding are less likely to transmit the virus to their babies.

Project director, Dr. Joseph Makhema, says the study was the first randomised study in Africa to compare HAART regimens used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, producing the lowest rate of mother to child transmission in comparison with other studies done in Africa.