KAKAMEGA COUNTY CELEBRATES HIV EXPOSED CHILDREN
The County Government of Kakamega through the Ministry of Health in conjunction with APHIA PLUS-Western Kenya held celebrations dubbed βPrevention of Mother to Child Transmissionβ where 56 children born from HIV Positive mothers were pronounced HIV virus free after 2 years from their dates of birth. The main objectives of the event are to celebrate the milestones achieved towards mother-to-child, recognize the mother-to-child champions, create a platform for advocacy in fostering ownership and mobilize resources and accountability for the mother-to-child transmission of HIV among others.
The County government of Kakamega in conjunction with the partners has assisted in prevention of mother-to-child transmission by providing programmes which offer antiretroviral treatment to HIV-positive pregnant women to prevent their infants from acquiring the virus. Without the prevention, the likelihood of the mother passing the virus to the child is 15-45% but with the antiretroviral treatment, and other effective preventive interventions, the risk can reduce below 5%.
Kakamega County Director of Medical Services Dr. David Oluoch called on expectant mothers to seek medical advice early enough to prevent the unborn babies contracting the virus. Dr. Oluoch challenged medical practitioners in all the county health facilities to live up to their expectations in relation to offering treatment and/or advice to the infected and/or affected persons.Dr. Oluoch observed that 76% of HIV-Positive women do not deliver in health facilities and only 44%of pregnant women attend the recommended four Anti natal care visits.