Effective care coordination for a WLWHIV is paramount. A coordinated, cohesive model enhances engagement in care and avoids difficulties in navigating a complex health system and the potential for loss of follow-up, suboptimal adherence to ART and risking transmission of the virus to the unborn child. (11). For these reasons, a multidisciplinary model is the ideal.
The multidisciplinary model (Figure 1) illustrates the range of specialist programs that may be involved in a woman’s and infant’s care, during birth and beyond. The woman is at the centre of the model; she may need all or only some of the available resources, depending on her age, ethnicity, religion, culture, overall health and medical history, migration experience or previous engagement with health services. Each woman and her situation are unique, and care is tailored to meet each woman’s needs in a holistic and culturally sensitive manner.