DUSHANBE, October 3, 2009, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- A seminar on problems of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV was held in Dushanbe on October 2.

Speaking at the seminar, director of the Scientific-Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Shamsiddin Qurbonov noted that the fact that rates of new HIV infection in Tajikistan were the among the highest in the world evoked serious concern of not only the health sector but also the government and the parliament of the country.

“Despite measures taken by Tajik health authorities in this direction, the problem remains serious,” said Qurbonov, “According to the latest assessments by the Ministry of Health, 1,595 cases of HIV infection have been officially registered in the country to this date.  13 of these cases are related to mother-to-child transmission of the infection.”