Question
Can I have my baby in the UK?
6 February 2010. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Newly diagnosed, Pregnancy, Starting treatment.
I have currently been diagnosed with HIV during a pre-natal visit. I am a British passport holder but currently residing in Ghana. I want to come back to the UK to look at treatment options. I wanted to know if after living outside the UK for almost 3 years I would qualify for free NHS treatment?
Thank you for the brilliant work and website. It has been a source of strength and comfort in what has been an awfully difficult 3 weeks since my diagnosis. I am 19 weeks pregnant.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It sounds like you have had a very difficult time. Things will get better as you feel more in control of your health.
I am not sure what the situation is in Ghana in terms of health facilities but if you are a British passport holder, you should be able to return to the UK without any problem. When you are here you should be able to access treatment through the NHS, because your baby will have these rights.
You did not mention whether you were already on HIV treatment. In the UK it is recommended to start HIV combination therapy (using 3 meds) by the third trimester (24 weeks) or earlier depending on your current health. This is to bring viral load down to undetectable before the birth. This in turn should bring the risk of transmission to your baby down to below 1%.
For further information please see this
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