By Calsile Masilela
ELIZABETH Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have joined forces to support the ministry of health’s plan to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV throughout the country.
This is in support of Swaziland’s effort to ensure that all children in Swaziland are born free of HIV through the five year programme titled ‘Eliminating, Paediatric AIDS in Swaziland (EPAS) worth $12 million.
The programme seeks to expand the availability of comprehensive services for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, reduced missed opportunities for delivery of services, and address cultural norms that keep some women from obtaining these services. “We are grateful for the support of both USAID and the ministry of health, and their focus on ending mother-to-child transmission of the virus,” said EGPAF Country Director Dr. Mohammed Ali Mahdi.
With an estimated adult HIV prevalence of 26%, Swaziland is home to the world’s most severe HIV and AIDS pandemic. Women and children are particularly affected, with 42% of pregnant women who receive antenatal care testing HIV positive.
EGPAF President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Lyons said Swaziland was confronting its high HIV prevalence rate directly and aggressively, and was at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate new paediatric HIV infection.
He said the Swaziland government would show others that it was possible to create a generation free of HIV. The EPAS programme will make the most effective PMTCT services available to mothers in 100% of public facilities and selected high volume private facilities. In addition, missed opportunities to provide services will be reduced through increased primary prevention, family planning, HIV re-testing during pregnancy, and mobilisation of pregnant women for early antenatal care and delivery in health facilities.
The Foundation has recruited two strong partner organisations, one with community-level expertise for this programme, whose work will be critical to addressing gender-related cultural norms. The programme will take a family-centred approach, offer male involvement activities, and promote community days as a way to create demand for PMTCT services.
The family – centred approach will help to ensure that siblings and male partners are also able to access the HIV services they need. Quality will be improved through clinical mentoring, training, and supervision, and by facility-based, quality improvement techniques already in use. To ensure a comprehensive service package, the Foundation team will increase support around HIV counselling and testing for children and couples, referrals and linkages to neonatal male circumcision, and up-to-date HIV care and support.
Health sector strengthening is also a critical component of the ministry national plan, including for PMTCT. Through the capacity building aspects of this programme, five key areas will be addressed including human resources, strategic information, logistics management, sire support supervision, and programme and financial management.
“This collaboration will improve the lives of countless women, children and families, and we look forward to the day when every child in Swaziland is born HIV free,” said Dr. Mahdi.
Minister of Health Benedict Xaba said with the prevalence of 41% among pregnant women; this project would greatly advance the national goals of universal access to PMTCT services and the elimination of transmission by 2015.
He stated that EGPAF being the implementing organisation with other partners has supported government since 2004 with the goal of preventing paediatric HIV infection and reduce HIV related morbidity and mortality among women, children and families.
Xaba explained that EGPAF was working with the ministry and health facilities to strengthen the health care system through technical assistance and capacity development.
About EGPAF
This is a global leader in the fight against paediatric HIV and AIDS, and has reached more than 11 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It works at more than 5 400 sites in 17 countries to implement prevention and care and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities in order to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children and families worldwide.
Source: observer.org.sz
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