The company is the country’s sole provider of the formula, which was created to help reduce the risk against AIDS transmission between mother and baby.
In South Africa about 260 babies contract HIV each day, while 28% of pregnant women are HIV-positive. Pelargon has been delivered to HIV positive mothers free of charge as part of the government’s campaign to offer public AIDS treatment, which also includes life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs.
Nestle says it is now starting to experience supply problems, which it blames on a worker strike, difficulties with new logistics procedures and increased demand. This has ignited fears that the virus will continue to outpace efforts to fight it, as HIV positive mothers resort to breast feeding through a lack of the medicinal milk.
The Gauteng provincial health department is said to be scheduling a meeting with Nestle to discuss the shortage, but has been urged by the Democratic Alliance to discipline the company for non-delivery.