15 November 2006
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) was initiated in June
2001 in the North West province. There were two pilot sites, one rural
(Lehurutshe/ Zeerust Complex) and one urban (Tlhabane Health Centre). The
broader strategic goals were to prevent new HIV infections and to reduce the
social impact of HIV and AIDS. Key to the campaign has been to reduce vertical
transmission of HIV from the mother to baby and now lately, also to improve the
mother's quality of life through provision of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during
pregnancy to those who are eligible.
"Since inception, PMTCT uptake has been very low. Pregnant mothers are
either reluctant to test for HIV or refuse to enrol into the programme. Of
those pregnant mothers whom healthcare workers manage to counsel and test, many
of them fail to adhere to their infant feeding choices. These continue to cause
concern despite marketing strategies such as billboards, awareness campaigns
and vigorous health education," explains MEC Nomonde Rasmeni.
Objective of the discussions are as follows:
* to identify challenges around HIV testing or enrolment onto the programme
for pregnant mothers
* to identify challenges around infant feeding in the context of HIV and
AIDS
* to elicit strategies that reduce stigma associated with HIV and Aids, and
PMTCT
* to identify gender issues in the PMTCT programme.
"When a mother goes to the clinic, Midwife Obstetric Unit or hospital for
her first antenatal visit, she is given counselling and is asked if she wants
to take an HIV test. The results are confidential, which means that only the
counsellor and healthcare workers looking after the mother will discuss the
results."
"If the mother takes the test and is found to be HIV positive, she will have
the option to join the PMTCT programme free of charge. As part of the programme
she will be given Nevirapine and Zidovudine, anti-HIV medicine. Presently we
have a total of 339 service clinics including Community Health Centres
providing these services; only 314 sites are actively providing this service.
We have realised that our people are not making use of this programme despite
our professional health workers continuously educating the community about the
programme. It also seems like they (the community) are unable to make the
correct choices and we are committed to reach each and everyone who is in dire
need of the service," concluded MEC Nomonde Rasmeni.
Members of the media are invited to attend and capture this informative
session.
Enquiries:
Zakes Molala
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Fax: (018) 3875 830
E-mail: lmolala@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
15 November 2006
Source: North West Department of Health (http://www.nwhealth.gov.za)
