Imphal, January 27 2010: CPT-Prophylaxis (Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis), a type of medicine, can help in reducing the rate of birth mortality among children in the age group of 0 to 18 months born to parents living with HIV, Project Director (Technical) of MACS Dr Kh Pramodkumar has informed.

Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of an orientation training of PPTCT MOs and Counsellors on CPT Prophylaxis, Dr Pramodkumar announced that CPT Prophylaxis, a type of medicine, which used to be provided only in ART centres of the State would now be extended to all the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs).

This would help in reducing the mortality rate among children of HIV infected/affected parents.

Until completion of 18 months, it is difficult to detect whether a child born to HIV positive parents have been affected or not but the mortality rate among such children from opportunistic infection (OI) is very high, Dr Pramodkumar explained, adding that CPT Prophylaxis can control these opportunistic infections.

So until confirmation of whether the child has been infected with HIV or not, CPT Prophylaxis should be given to the children upto 18 months.

In case the child turns out to be HIV negative, then administering of CPT Prophylaxis should be stopped but in case of HIV positive then it should be continued.

CPT Prophylaxis can be given along with ART it is required, he added.

The training programme which would go on for four days is being organised jointly by Regional Paediatrics ART Centre, JN Hospital; Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) and UNICEF.

In all 44 MOs and another 44 Counsellors are participating in the training programme.

Presided over by Head of Paediatrics Department, JN Hospital Prof Chourjit the inaugural function of the training programme was also attended by editor of ISTV Rupachandra Yumnam and Deputy Director of MACS Dr Khamba as guests of honour.

In his address, Dr Khamba reiterated that CPT Prophylaxis is very much essential as it is difficult to detect whether a child has been affected with HIV until completion of 18 months.

It can also prevented the children from opportunistic infections.

Dr Chourjit pointed out that while taking into account of the population of the State the HIV prevalence rate in Manipur is alarming.

Rupachandra appealed to the participants for taking the training programme seriously as application of CPT Prophalyxis would be able to save the lives of the children.

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