The Tshwane metro health department is concerned over the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV after its clinics registered 39 new infections from January to June.
MMC for Health spokesperson Natashia Chhiba said 232 babies in Gauteng tested positive for HIV, 39 in Tshwane district.
“This was a marginal decline from the 211 in the province in the previous six months (July to December 2023) where Tshwane accounted for 43 cases.”
She said MTCT of HIV occurs when a pregnant HIV-positive person passes the virus onto their baby during pregnancy, delivery or feeding.
The reasons why MTCT is still prevalent, include:
– HIV-positive mothers defaulting on antiretroviral treatment during the breastfeeding period.
– Lack of or no male partner testing for HIV during the pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
– Wet nursing by an HIV-positive woman whose status is unknown to the mother. Wet nursing is third-party breastfeeding. UNAIDS calls for greater awareness on the part of mothers to know the HIV status of wet nurses.
– Pregnant mothers not accessing or reporting late for antenatal care.
– Breastfeeding mothers who contract HIV later on and transmit it to the baby.
– Underuse of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment to prevent HIV transmission.
– Mixed feeding (giving breastmilk plus other liquids and solid food) by an HIV-positive breastfeeding mother before six months.
“The Tshwane health department offers mother, women and children health and nutrition programmes at its 24 primary healthcare clinics.
These programmes seek to contribute towards the reduction of maternal and child morbidity and mortality by ensuring that clinics offer quality services.
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Key focus areas under this programme include, among others, basic antenatal care and prevention of MTCT of HIV.”
Chhiba said the health department continues to intensify health education on the importance of treatment compliance and correct feeding practices to prevent the vertical transmission (MTCT) of HIV.
The department urges fathers and mothers to take collective responsibility to prevent the MTCT of HIV.
Listen to MMC Grandi Theunissen on the department’s concern about continued MTCT of HIV:
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