14 Apr 2013

Discrimination of HIV positive expectant mothers negatively affects implementation of prevention from mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programme, Kgalagadi South PMTCT coordinator has observed.

Speaking during the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Tsabong panel discussion, Ms Doreen Mfaladi encouraged partners, families as well as communities to fight discrimination against HIV expectant mothers.

Ms Mfaladi, who is also a midwife, observed that by accepting HIV positive expectant mothers, the community would be creating an environment conducive for achieving zero discrimination.

Thus, she encouraged the general public to acquire information and knowledge about PMTCT and other HIV related issues in order for them to fully appreciate and support those infected.

Furthermore, she informed participants that Kgalagadi south health district’s PMTCT uptake was at 99 per cent against the 93 per cent of the whole nation from January to December 2012.

In the same period, Ms Mfaladi said, the testing rate was at 100 per cent though there was a shortage of testing kits between April and June last year.

Nonetheless, she expressed concern that partner testing was low at 17 per cent. As a result, the district health management team had designed a contact slip, the first of its kind in the country, which was given to expecting father via his partner to test for HIV at a health facility of their choice.

The contact slips were not written names but contact numbers instead for confidentiality and the information acquired was recorded and kept safely.

The health worker informed young people that after conducting the tests and putting an expectant mother on the triple ARV prophylaxis therapy, the mother or the couple would choose whether or not to breast feed.

However, the couple would choose their feeding method after thorough counselling and will undergo constant monitoring. ENDS