Number of babies born with HIV decline

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Friday February 3, 2017 15:35

The head of Preventative Services for greater Francistown Health District, Dr Tebogo Mokgware revealed this during the recent launch of the 90-90-90 Mayor’s initiative that was held at the Francistown old stadium.

When giving the remarks about the HIV situation in greater Francistown health district, Mokgware said that in 2016 more than 96% of HIV positive pregnant women were enrolled on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme.

He said the number of babies born with HIV in 2016 was 0.27 percent as compared to 1. 1 percent in 2015.

He disclosed that of 1,131 who were born last year, only three tested positive when compared to 14 babies out of 1,286 in 2015.

“In 2016 we recorded three babies born with HIV in Tonota and nil in Francistown, which is a great improvement as compared to eight babies who tested positive in Tonota and six babies born with HIV in Francistown,” he said.

Mokgware revealed that they managed to exceed the target set by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which is to record one percent of the babies born with HIV under the PMTCT programme. He noted that statistics show that HIV positive pregnant women in Francistown and surrounding areas have enrolled in the PMTCT programme in large numbers.

He encouraged women to test for HIV during the first months of pregnancy so that they could be enrolled in the PMTCT programme immediately when they have tested positive. He further said after enrollment, they should adhere to treatment in order to achieve favourable results.

On a related issue, Mokgware disclosed that during the kick-out STI/TB/HIV campaign in Area S and Bluetown locations they managed to test 463 people but only 16 tested positive. The campaign intends to empower the community through information and education dissemination and increase HIV testing in different communities.