adminAs Zim still records high numbers of home-births
Catherine Murombedzi H I V
ZIMBABWE has taken a better route now in preventing HIV transmission from mother-to-child since February 2013 when the country adopted Option B+. This means a pregnant mother testing HIV positive is automatically put on life-long medication to suppress the multiplication of the HIV virus.
This is for the mother’s health and for the good of the baby too. The mother takes a triple medication combination for her own health and also as a means of lowering the risk of passing on the virus to the baby in the womb, at birth and during breast feeding.
No baby should be born with the HIV virus and the national vision is to see less than five percent of all babies born with the virus by 2015. Testing is the entry point to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and if any pregnant mother is found to be HIV positive irrespective of their CD4 count they are commenced on ART for their own good and to protect the baby from possible infection.
In Zimbabwe, no mother is forced even those pregnant to test for HIV, but they are encouraged to do so for their own good and the good of the baby.
However in Gokwe, Sasame, traditional leaders are fining women who give birth at home in an effort to combat maternal mortality and mother to child transmission of HIV.
Chiefs are fining these women $25, while head man charge $5 or two goats.
Chief Nemangwe said the fine for home deliveries had seen a drop in home deliveries and saving mothers lives.
“Introduction of a fine for home deliveries is the only way to encourage women to visit health facilities,” said Chief Nemangwe.
In 2012 in Sasame, 10 babies were delivered at home and in 2014 there was a sharp drop to three births thanks to efforts by the chiefs.
Meanwhile, mother to child HIV transmission is now a thing of the past in Cuba. No child is now born HIV positive, thanks to the robust prevention from mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) that the country underwent for a decade.
Cuba has just eliminated HIV transmission from mother-to-child.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Cuba has become the first country in the world to effectively eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
“This is one of the greatest public health achievements possible,” WHO director general, Margaret Chan said.
This was made possible by early testing of HIV in mothers who were pregnant, treatment of those who needed anti- retroviral therapy and providing syphilis positive mothers with options to protect their babies, giving birth by C section and provision of free formula milk.
Cuba has integrated treatment for HIV and syphilis and made it accessible, affordable and universal health care so that this became a normal part for pregnant mothers in need.
“This is a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and is an important step towards having an AIDS-free generation,” said Chan.“This shows that ending the AIDS epidemic is possible,” she added.
Cuba has had less than 50 cases of HIV and syphilis per 100 00 live births maintained for at least a year. Cuba also had 95 percent of pregnant women being tested for HIV and syphilis. Finally the country had 95 percent of those who test positive to the above receive proper treatment and care.
WHO is proud to report that Cuba reached that target and only two babies were born HIV positive in Cuba and five babies with congenital syphilis.
WHO expects more countries to follow suit.
In 2014 globally 240 000 babies contracted HIV from their mothers and this is half of what was possible in 2009. WHO targets only 40 000 new child-infections per year and Cuba has shown that it is possible.
This achievement is an inspiration to the world that elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is possible.
Let no fear grip an HIV positive mother who is pregnant, there are now intervention measures to have baby born clear of the HIV virus.
Online Reporter