by providing only a single drug, nevirapine, to mother and child shortly before and after birth.
A panel of experts has advised the department of health and Sanac that the minimum should be two antiretrovirals to ensure the mother is protected from drug resistance.
The panel also recommended that pregnant women be given access to antiretroviral therapy when their CD4 count — a measure of the strength of the immune system — falls to 350. Therapy is normally given when the count is 200.
Starting pregnant women on antiretrovirals at an earlier stage is part of a global shift in treatment.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) says at least two provinces are ready to implement such strategies, but have not done so yet because they are waiting for the green light from the national health department.
Mlambo-Ngcuka reportedly said provinces should go ahead as soon as they are ready.