Judith Haltebaye, a midwife with 15 years of expertise, has spent the previous seven years serving on the Abena-Atetip Well being Centre in central N’Djamena. Over time, she has supported a whole bunch of ladies all through their pregnancies and past. For some, her care entails extremely particular follow-ups, as within the case of 34-year-old Menodjie, who resides with HIV. “Menodjie got here for a session in January, and thru routine assessments, we found she was dwelling with HIV. On the time, she was anticipating her second little one,” Judith recounts.
In Chad, an estimated 65 000 girls over the age of 15 have been dwelling with HIV in 2023, in accordance with the newest UNAIDS report. The report additionally highlighted an HIV prevalence price of 1.3% amongst girls aged 15 to 49 years. To fight the virus, the Authorities of Chad launched the Prevention of Mom-to-Little one Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Programme in 2005. The initiative goals to guard kids born to HIV-positive moms from an infection throughout three crucial phases: being pregnant, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
General, indicators of HIV look after moms and kids in Chad have proven important enchancment. The speed of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Chad has considerably declined, dropping from 29% in 2012 to 19% in 2023. By 2023, in accordance with the identical UNAIDS report, 91 000 HIV-exposed kids had examined destructive for the virus, and 1300 new toddler infections had been prevented by way of the efforts of the PMTCT Programme. Compared, these figures have been 82 000 and 1100 respectively, in 2015.
“We’re happy with this progress,” says Dr Hassan Ndengar, HIV focus for the southern district of N’Djamena. “PMTCT actually saves lives. Youngsters are the energy of a rustic, and so they signify the long run technology. That’s the reason we should put money into them and take care of their well being.” In Dr Ndengar’s opinion, prevention is essential. “We all know that if we display pregnant girls, we’ll be capable to scale back transmission price. From there, we are able to break the chain of an infection and decrease the prevalence inside the inhabitants.”
Offering look after pregnant girls is central to Chad’s efforts to stop and management HIV/AIDS. Midwives, alongside medical doctors and paramedics, play a pivotal position as front-line employees on this battle. To strengthen their capability, they’ve acquired technical and monetary help from World Well being Group (WHO). WHO’s help has additionally included the event of nationwide guides and tips, in addition to the implementation of monitoring and analysis techniques to make sure the effectiveness of those efforts.
In collaboration with the Sector-wide HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme, 750 healthcare employees have been skilled in recent times on the excellent administration of HIV and hepatitis. “We discovered that HIV/AIDS testing is a should for all girls who come for antenatal consultations. From the very first contact, we should guarantee they perceive the significance of being screened,” says Judith Haltebaye, a midwife and one of many skilled employees. If the preliminary check is optimistic, a confirmatory check is carried out. Ladies who check optimistic are then supplied with free, complete care, together with counselling and antiretroviral medicines (ARVs).
Antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) save lives and provides individuals dwelling with HIV the hope of a brighter future. In 2023, 7700 pregnant girls in Chad required ARV therapy, and 70% of them acquired it, a rise from 64% in 2022. The care supplied by healthcare groups has profoundly modified lives, as within the case of Menodjie. “These medicines have given me again my energy. Earlier than, I couldn’t raise something, not even a cup close to me. Afterwards, the supply went effectively, and my daughter was born with out the virus,” she shares.
The success of the PMTCT Programme and its achievements notably nearly all of kids being born HIV-free are remodeling attitudes and constructing belief. “We’ve seen many HIV-positive girls confidently commit to a different being pregnant as a result of they know their child will probably be wholesome in the event that they comply with the protocol. They arrive again to us as a result of they acquired correct care,” says Judith Haltebaye. “Due to PMTCT, we’re saving numerous lives, and I’m very happy with that.”
In collaboration with the Authorities, WHO is engaged in useful resource mobilization, notably by way of the International Fund, and helps the revision of requirements and tips, the enhancement of diagnostic instruments, and the strengthening of information administration techniques. Past addressing HIV, WHO is working to combine the management of hepatitis B and syphilis into the PMTCT Programme, in addition to into maternal, neonatal, and little one well being companies.
“This programme, which addresses three crucial illnesses affecting moms and kids, will allow us to enhance maternal and little one well being, scale back mortality charges, strengthen the well being system, and uphold human rights,” stated Dr Blanche Anya, WHO Consultant in Chad. “This strategy is significant as a result of it locations the affected person on the centre of interventions. We’re working to advertise well being for all.”
Chad has made important progress towards attaining the 95-95-95 targets set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for HIV testing, therapy, and viral load suppression. In 2023, 71% of individuals dwelling with HIV in Chad knew their standing, and 86% of these have been on ARV therapy in comparison with simply 47% and 70%, respectively, in 2015. Knowledge on the third goal, viral load suppression, weren’t accessible.
In N’Djaména, a couple of months after the beginning of her daughter, Menodjie continues her therapy. For her, life has returned to a traditional tempo, virtually making her neglect the virus she’s dwelling with. “I really feel good right now, and my kids are wholesome too. I nonetheless bear in mind how glad I used to be after I heard my daughter’s outcomes. Realizing that she is wholesome is a superb reduction, which I want for all individuals dwelling with HIV as a result of each mom on the earth needs the most effective for her little one.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Well being Group (WHO) – Chad.