LIBERIA: AIDS NGO fights AIDS war in Liberia

JOHANNESBURG, 3 Apr 2003 (PLUSNEWS) - A US-based NGO has launched a pilot HIV/AIDS programme at two major Liberian hospitals to tackle mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).

Nduaka Educational Foundation (NEF) last Friday donated HIV/AIDS test kits and laboratory equipment to the St Joseph Catholic and Redemption Hospitals in the capital, Monrovia.

"While Liberia has a number of AIDS awareness campaigns in place, none of them address the rising problem of MTCT," NEF president, Chudy Nduaka, told the UN news service PlusNews.

Nduaka said an NEF consignment of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine was expected to arrive in Liberia soon. Nevirapine helps reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV by up to 50 percent.

"Following the success of the pilot programme, our donor has assured us of support for similar projects in rural Liberia," Nduaka said.

However, Nduaka expressed concern that the ongoing Liberian conflict could hamper NEF plans for expansion.

The rebel group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), has waged a three-year war to oust President Charles Taylor.

[ENDS]