Nascop rolls out campaign to prevent HIV transmission to babies

The initiative includes boosting access to prevention of mother to child transmission services in five regions

By Elizabeth Mwai

The Government has mapped out five regions from which it intends to eliminate HIV transmission to newborns in three years.

The areas — Nakuru, Nandi, Rongo, Siaya and Kisumu —have HIV prevalence higher than the 7.1 national average.

The exercise to create HIV free zones spearheaded by the National Aids and STD Control Programme (Nascop) will cost Sh80 million annually.

Nascop Director Nicholas Muraguri cautions that without quick intervention in the HIV hotspots, about 50,000 infant risks getting infected with the virus. "We have a big problem of mothers infecting their children with the HIV because they do not go to hospital or properly adhere to given instructions," says Muraguri.

Scientist has invented a combination of drugs that if used by a HIV positive pregnant woman prevents mother to child transmission (PMTCT) by 95 per cent.

Mothers and their babies at an antenatal clinic in Kisumu. Only 44 per cent of women deliver in hospital. [PHOTO: JAMES KEYI/ standard]

The drugs are administered during pregnancy, delivery as well as to the newborn to lower the chance of passing on the virus.

In an interview during the launch of the campaign Kata Shauri Tulinde Kizazi in Kisumu, Muraguri says although 90 per cent of mothers visit antenatal clinics, a large percentage do not follow through.

He said only 44 per cent of pregnant women deliver in hospital.

He says Kenya is grappling with the problem of mothers not following instructions such as exclusive breast feeding.

Mixed feeding

"Although we tell mothers not to practice mixed feeding they ignore and give their children water and other liquids," says Muraguri.

HIV positive pregnant mothers who do not attend antenatal clinics are more likely to transmit their virus to their children, and when they start treatment fail to adhere to prescribed medication and practice mixed feeding.

Muraguri says HIV positive mothers should either practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months or use formulas as instructed by the doctor.

Unicef Kenya representative Olivia Yambi warned that 60 children are born with HIV in daily.

Yambi say that the children will die within the first two years. "The Kata shauri campaign will eliminate paediatric Aids from Kenya and invest in a future generation that is free of HIV," said Yambi.

Yambi said the campaign would focus on behaviour and social change, and enhance PMTCT awareness.