§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes she supports which aim to prevent South African children becoming infected with HIV through the use of dirty needles. [112539]
§ Hilary BennIn November 2002, the findings of a study commissioned by the Nelson Mandela Foundation (with funding from DFID) reported higher than expected rates of HIV infection among children in 397W South Africa. The causes are still being investigated, but there is no concrete evidence linking the higher infection rates to the use of dirty needles.
DFID has recently approved a new 30m programme to help South Africa tackle HIV/AIDS. This includes further support for the Nelson Mandela Foundation to enable a repeat of the 2002 study to be undertaken.