Stop the Spread of HIV from Mothers to Babies

Currently aged 36, Christine came to Alive Medical Services when she was pregnant with her first child in 2009. She was very ill at the time and when she took the HIV-test and it turned out to be positive, she became disillusioned and asked the doctor to recommend an abortion.

Christine was afraid of passing on the virus to her unborn child hence thinking that an abortion would be a better choice. The doctor that attended to her advised against the idea and told her about the Alive Medical Services’ prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme which has transformed into the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) over the years. Since 2013, all pregnant women enrolled in our care have given birth to HIV-negative babies.

Christine was astonished by the possibility of her giving birth to an HIV-negative baby so she got the will to try. As she shares today, she has given birth to three HIV-negative and healthy children and expecting the fourth. All her children have been given birth to while she accesses the free antenatal and postnatal care under AMS’ EMTCT services. She attends at least four antenatal care visits, adheres to her medication, and makes sure that after pregnancy, she consistently brings her children for the early infant diagnosis (EID) services to make sure that their status remains negative.

“I am very glad that 8 years ago, Alive Medical Services renewed my hope in having an HIV-free generation,” Christine gleefully shares.

She wishes that all women all over Uganda and the world would access such services for free so that HIV is eradicated for good. She also does her part by sensitizing pregnant women in her community to know their status so that they can save the lives of their unborn babies.

Thanks to supporters like you, for you, make it possible for women like Christine to give birth to HIV-negative babies.

Links:

• About Alive Medical Services