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EXPECTING mothers have been urged to go for HIV testing to protect their unborn children from the virus as Zimbabwe targets to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2025.
This was revealed at the National Validation Committee Meeting for dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis held in Harare recently.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, said:
“I note with concern that in 2021 only 87 percent, against a target of 95 percent, of pregnant women who needed antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV transmission to their infants accessed them,” he said.
“This is worrisome as our data is showing us that almost all HIV positive pregnant women in need of prevention of mother-to-child transmission PMTCT services, presented to our health services, are initiated.
“Furthermore, I challenge us all to interrogate why 13 percent of HIV positive pregnant women, who visited our facilities, were not initiated on ART.”
Vice President Chiwenga said there was an urgent need to find out why so many women, who should have been taking antiretroviral treatment for their own health and to prevent vertical transmission, were not on ART.
“It is pertinent that we address the issue.
“I call upon networks of women living with HIV to engage their peers so as to understand the reason for this,” he said.
The elimination of the mother-to-child transmission programme, which was launched in the country in 1999, has ensured that mothers with HIV can give birth to healthy children.
Former model and HIV activist, Tendayi Westerhoff, said a positive mind and a healthy lifestyle can lead to an AIDS-free generation by 2030.
“I always talk of the realities of what has happened to me.
“I am a beneficiary of the government treatment programme on free antiretroviral treatment for HIV for the last 20 years.
“I have also gone through the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and successfully I gave birth to a child who is HIV-negative.
“My child is negative and I, as the mother, I remain negative.
“It is all because of treatment, and due diligence, when it comes to taking ARV treatment.”
After achieving the 90-90-90 UNAIDS target in 2020, which translates to 90 percent of people knowing their HIV status, 90 percent of those diagnosed with HIV on antiretroviral treatment, and 90 percent of those receiving treatment achieving viral suppression, Zimbabwe is now working towards the 95 -95-95 for 2025.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter