EPISODE 18 - Mother-to-child transmission

In this episode of Siyayinqoba Beat It! the serious topic of preventing mother-to-child transmission is dealt with in depth.  South Africa has had a prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programme since 2003 yet this programme is clearly not reaching enough women. South Africa is one of the few countries were infant mortality is increasing, not decreasing mainly due to HIV-related deaths. The new National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan aims to reduce the rate of mother-to-child transmission to 5% by 2011. As the only show presented by people living positively with HIV this matter is obviously close to the Support Group's hearts. No one wants innocent children to be infected, especially mothers. Joining us again on the show this week is Dr Majoro.

Our first insert comes from Tsakane, Gauteng where we see how Siyayinqoba Beat It! is educating mothers about PMTCT. Through the Community Health Media Trust we join Portia Ramovha as she explains the facts about PMTCT at a clinic where she answers mothers' questions regarding babies receiving various forms of ARVs. Back in the studio Dr Majoro explains in detail how the child can be infected with the HI Virus during pregnancy. He points out that the child becoming infected is most likely to happen via blood during labour or breastfeeding. Support group member Busisiwe also shares her personal experiences of PMTCT.

Next we visit Thandeka in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. Thandeka gave birth to her child in Cape Town where dual therapy had already been rolled-out. We hear how Thandeka's baby, who has now tested negative, might not have been so lucky had Thandeka not been able to access dual therapy. The Support Group discusses the National Strategic Plan and the question is raised as to why dual therapy isn't more widely available in the rural areas.  Dr Majoro drives home the point that although the roll-out of PMTCT might not always be ideal, we all have the responsibility to test early and to test regularly and to make sure that pregnant women in our communities do the same for the sake of their babies.

Langa is our next stop. Here we look at a PMTCT programme that was started in 2002 that has since then made a point of educating mothers-to-be about the benefits of testing for HIV for both them and their unborn babies. The sisters at the clinic have noticed a significant drop in the number of babies infected with HIV in the past few years, which shows they are starting to make huge amounts of progress through their treatment literacy interventions. Busisiwe goes on to say, back in the support group, how she has personally seen the positive effects of these interventions. This is also why the Langa PMTCT programme has recently won some awards in recognition of their excellent work.

This episode drives home the message that pregnant women stand to benefit from knowing their status but it also more importantly shows that by knowing their status' mothers-to-be do not only protect and ensure their own health but they can also then protect and ensure the health and well-being of their children. Early testing ensures that all of us have options to help us to beat HIV and to protect ourselves and to protect others.

IT'S A FACT