Chad: protecting children from HIV/AIDS

N’Djamena – Judith Haltebaye, a midwife with 15 years of trip, has spent the previous seven years serving at the Abena-Atetip Health Centre in central N’Djamena. Over time, she has supported hundreds of girls right by their pregnancies and previous. For some, her care involves highly particular observe-ups, as within the case of 34-year-old Menodjie, who resides with HIV. “Menodjie came for a consultation in January, and through routine tests, we discovered she was living with HIV. At the time, she was expecting her second child,” Judith recounts.

In Chad, an estimated 65 000 girls over the age of 15 had been residing with HIV in 2023, in accordance to the most contemporary UNAIDS file. The file furthermore highlighted an HIV prevalence price of 1.3% amongst girls ancient 15 to 49 years. To strive against the virus, the Authorities of Chad launched the Prevention of Mom-to-Baby Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Programme in 2005. The initiative targets to protect children born to HIV-particular moms from infection all over three severe stages: pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

General, indicators of HIV be pleased moms and children in Chad beget shown main improvement. The velocity of mother-to-runt one transmission of HIV in Chad has very a lot declined, losing from 29% in 2012 to 19% in 2023. By 2023, in accordance to the same UNAIDS file, 91 000 HIV-uncovered children had examined unfavorable for the virus, and 1300 fresh runt one infections had been averted by the efforts of the PMTCT Programme. In comparison, these figures had been 82 000 and 1100 respectively, in 2015.

“We’re proud of this progress,” says Dr Hassan Ndengar, HIV focal level for the southern district of N’Djamena. “PMTCT really saves lives. Children are the strength of a country, and they represent the future generation. That is why we must invest in them and look after their health.” In Dr Ndengar’s knowing, prevention is key. “We know that if we screen pregnant women, we’ll be able to reduce transmission rate. From there, we can break the chain of infection and lower the prevalence within the population.”

Offering be pleased pregnant girls is central to Chad’s efforts to cease and care for watch over HIV/AIDS. Midwives, alongside doctors and paramedics, play a pivotal feature as entrance-line workers on this strive against. To toughen their potential, they’ve acquired technical and monetary give a take hang of to from World Health Organization (WHO). WHO’s give a take hang of to has furthermore integrated the improvement of national guides and pointers, as well as the implementation of monitoring and review programs to be optimistic the effectiveness of those efforts.

In collaboration with the Sector-broad HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme, 750 healthcare workers were trained in most modern years on the excellent administration of HIV and hepatitis. “We learned that HIV/AIDS testing is a must for all women who come for antenatal consultations. From the very first contact, we must ensure they understand the importance of being screened,” says Judith Haltebaye, a midwife and some of the trained workers. If the initial test is particular, a confirmatory test is conducted. Ladies who test particular are then offered with free, complete care, in conjunction with counselling and antiretroviral medicines (ARVs).

Antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) establish lives and give of us residing with HIV the hope of a brighter future. In 2023, 7700 pregnant girls in Chad required ARV treatment, and 70% of them acquired it, an expand from 64% in 2022. The care offered by healthcare groups has profoundly changed lives, as within the case of Menodjie. “These medicines have given me back my strength. Before, I couldn’t lift anything, not even a cup near me. Afterwards, the delivery went well, and my daughter was born without the virus,” she shares.

The success of the PMTCT Programme and its achievements in particular the wide majority of children being born HIV-free are remodeling attitudes and constructing belief. “We’ve seen many HIV-positive women confidently commit to another pregnancy because they know their baby will be healthy if they follow the protocol. They come back to us because they received proper care,” says Judith Haltebaye. “Thanks to PMTCT, we’re saving a lot of lives, and I’m very proud of that.”

In collaboration with the Authorities, WHO is engaged in resource mobilization, in particular by the World Fund, and supports the revision of requirements and pointers, the enhancement of diagnostic instruments, and the strengthening of details administration programs. Past addressing HIV, WHO is working to integrate the care for watch over of hepatitis B and syphilis into the PMTCT Programme, as well as into maternal, neonatal, and runt one health services and products.

“This programme, which addresses three critical diseases affecting mothers and children, will enable us to improve maternal and child health, reduce mortality rates, strengthen the health system, and uphold human rights,” said Dr  Blanche Anya, WHO Representative in Chad. “This approach is vital because it places the patient at the centre of interventions. We are working to promote health for all.”

Chad has made main progress toward achieving the 95-95-95 targets establish by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for HIV testing, treatment, and viral load suppression. In 2023, 71% of of us residing with HIV in Chad knew their space, and 86% of those had been on ARV treatment when put next with correct 47% and 70%, respectively, in 2015. Files on the third target, viral load suppression, had been not on hand.

In N’Djaména, a couple of months after the starting up of her daughter, Menodjie continues her treatment. For her, existence has returned to an on a conventional basis tempo, nearly making her neglect the virus she’s residing with. “I feel good today, and my children are healthy too. I still remember how happy I was when I heard my daughter’s results. Knowing that she is healthy is a great relief, which I wish for all people living with HIV because every mother in the world wants the best for her child.”