PMTCT is saving lives in Nata

Encouraging moms to use the PMTCT program.JPG
Originally uploaded by natavillage.

PMTCT, stands for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission. It is a program that utilizes medications and formula feeding to prevent the HIV virus from being transmitted from mother to child. The PMTCT program uses many strategies to encourage women to participate. The pictured vehicle displays a child crying out to the mother to use NAN (powdered formula). This truck was delivering Nan throughout the district. HIV positive women can transmit the virus to their child either through pregnancy, delivery, or breast feeding. Using the Nan is just one component in preventing transmission. Pregnant women who are HIV positive beginning taking AZT at 24 weeks of pregnancy and then are given drugs during labour to prevent transmission. The infant is also given medication after birth. We are finding that 95% of the infants born of women who participate in this program are HIV negative. It’s imperative that all pregnant women utilize the PMTCT program