The Campaign to End Pediatric Aids (CEPA) has called on governments across Africa to get involved in reducing the impact of the virus on future generations.

The project was launched in Sandton in northern Johannesburg on Thursday.

It aims to ensure antiretroviral drugs are given to HIV positive mothers to prevent their babies from getting infected.

Chairperson of the CEPA Advisory Council Graca Machel said politicians must create good public policies and do all they could to end pediatric HIV/Aids on the continent.

The project will initially involve six countries including Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria.

Machel said urgent intervention was needed: “Leadership is key to breaking the terrible cycles of this disease in Africa.”

Machel said help must get to those who need it the most.

“Treatment has to come closer to where people live.”

CEPA aims to increase treatment among infected mothers and children in the participating countries to 80 percent by 2012.