Rwanda is on track to achieve Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG 6) and virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV by 2015, according to a new report released by UNICEF today.

MDG 6 target is to have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse the spread of HIV. It also includes ensuring universal access to treatment of HIV/Aids to all those in need.

By the end of 2012 approximately 180,000 adults (>15 years) and 27,000 children (<15 years) were living with HIV and over 900 new HIV infections in children were recorded in Rwanda.

The report which was released in New York also shows great progress has been made by the low- and middle-income countries generally.

"Progress has been made to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, with more than 850,000 new childhood infections averted between 2005 and 2012 in low- and middle-income countries,” the report revealed. 

However, the new 2013 Stocktaking Report on Children and AIDS raises the alarm on adolescents, citing the need for increased global and national efforts to address HIV and AIDS among this vulnerable age group.

AIDS-related deaths amongst adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 increased by 50 per cent between 2005 and 2012, rising from 71,000 to 110,000, in stark contrast to progress made in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

There were approximately 2.1 million adolescents living with HIV in 2012 in the world, according to the report.

With additional funding and increased investment in innovation, many of the challenges could be overcome, the report says.

"If high-impact interventions are scaled up using an integrated approach, we can halve the number of new infections among adolescents by 2020,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. "It’s a matter of reaching the most vulnerable adolescents with effective programmes – urgently.”

High-impact interventions include condoms, antiretroviral treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, voluntary medical male circumcision, communications for behaviour change, and targeted approaches for key populations and marginalized groups.

This is in addition to investments in other sectors such as education, social protection and welfare, and strengthening health systems.

In contrast to adolescents, progress has been impressive in the area of preventing new HIV infections among infants. Some 260,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2012, compared to 540,000 in 2005.

"This report reminds us that an AIDS-free generation is one in which all children are born free of HIV and remain so – from birth and throughout their lives – and it means access to treatment for all children living with HIV,” said Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "It also reminds us that women’s health and well-being should be at the centre of the AIDS response. I have no doubt that we will achieve these goals.”