Introduction: Elimination of HIV transmission from mother to child (EMTCT) reduces infant mortality and is a first line of defence against the spread of the epidemic. EMTCT is a global priority and a part of the MDG 5 to reduce the new HIV cases by 30%. This aim is reaffirmed by Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving EMTCT status means that Malaysia is providing an equal and quality health care for all. EMTCT was defined as ≤50 infant HIV infections per 100,000 live births.

Objectives: To illustrate the prevalence, pregnancy outcomes of HIV positive antenatal mothers and to determine the EMTCT rate.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted among HIV positive antenatal mothers from 2009 until 2014 in Kelantan. 

Results: A total of 148,223 deliveries were recorded from 2009 to 2014. 181 antenatal mothers were infected with HIV.  The mean age of the mothers was 28.5 ± 6.0 years. The total live birth by HIV positive mothers was 174. Two babies had HIV positive in the year of 2011 and 2012 after the completion of mandatory follow up of 18 months. Thus the vertical transmission rate was 2.7% (EMTCT rate of 4.1/100,000 live births) and 3.4% (EMTCT rate of 4.2/100,000 live births) in the year of 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Majority of the patients were Malay (95.6%), (96.1%) of them were married. 3.3% were single parent. 97.8% HIV transmission were by heterosexual relationship and 2.2% were transmitted by intravenous drug users. Only 2 cases delivered without any antenatal booking in the year of 2014. 42.0% were the known cases of HIV infected patients prior to pregnancy while 58.0% were the new cases diagnosed during antenatal booking. 55.7% were delivered vaginally, 43.7% delivered by Caesarean Section and 0.6% delivered by assisted breech delivery.

Prevention of Maternal to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) was initiated in all antenatal mothers comprising of the use of anti-retroviral therapy, Caesarean delivery for those with detectable virus load, not breastfeeding and mandatory infant HIV testing.

Conclusions: PMCT was implemented in all HIV positive antenatal mothers. EMTCT was successful during the study period as demonstrated by very low vertical transmission rate. It indicates the high and equal quality of the maternal child healthcare services offered to HIV infected mothers.

Keywords: PMTCT, EMTCT, HIV mothers, Vertical transmission rate