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Antenatal HIV Screening

Antenatal HIV screening tests pregnant women for HIV to reduce the chances of HIV being passed to the baby.

In June 2005, the Minister of Health decided that every pregnant woman should be offered a test for HIV. A number of blood tests are already offered to pregnant women, and HIV testing will be added to those tests.

At the moment, an HIV test is not offered to all pregnant women, although pregnant women can ask their doctor or midwife for a test, and some women thought to be at higher risk of HIV will be offered a test.

HIV screening will be offered to pregnant women region by region, until it is available all over New Zealand. The programme is expected to be in place nationwide by June 2008.

The Antenatal HIV Implementation Advisory Group is currently overseeing the national implementation of the programme. The group will provide technical advice around the screening process, and advice to DHBs as they start to plan and provide the programme. Education will also be provided to midwives, GPs and doctors.


Image of The benefits of Antenatal HIV Screening - Dr Graham Mills Story.

The benefits of Antenatal HIV Screening - Dr Graham Mills

HIV screening for pregnant women is currently available in the Waikato region, and will be routinely offered nationwide by June 2008. Dr Graham Mills, the team leader for the Waikato programme, says antenatal HIV screening benefits everyone.

Read his story...
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HIV testing as part of antenatal care:

The number of people with HIV in NZ is low. However, that number is increasing, so all pregnant women are being offered an HIV test at the same time as other routine antenatal blood tests.