Protecting Babies from HIV in Tanzania

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak the Church’s Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Programme has experienced a low number of mothers attending the Mvumi Mother and Child Health Clinic in the Chamwino District. This was due to news spreading in the surrounding communities that when you attend hospital you would be vulnerable to contacting Covid-19.

Since then the PMTCT healthcare team have been doing a great job of reassuring women and their families during outreach visits of the importance of still attending the clinic despite the virus. Now the number of mothers and other patients attending the clinic at Mvumi Mission Hospital are returning to normal.

The PMTCT programme is essential as it encourages women to come forward for voluntary testing and counselling. They can then be supported with ways to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies. HIV can be transferred through breastmilk, so mothers are encouraged to use breastfeeding supplements. Women can also be provided with anti-retroviral drugs to reduce HIV transmission if needed. Furthermore, the programme also provides training in PMTCT for nurses and community health workers. Regular training sessions ensure that staff are well-informed, working in line with up to date HIV care and management.