Afrigather Windhoek ‒ Aazehe Tjozongoro was devastated when she examined HIV optimistic throughout her first being pregnant, even considering suicide as a result of she felt so determined. Seven years later, nonetheless, her little one is HIV-negative, and they’re each dwelling a wholesome life, because of Namibia’s dedication to constructing a era freed from the triple public well being threats of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis.
“Namibia’s milestone achievements replicate a deep dedication by the nation to guard the lives of ladies and kids.” Dr Richard Banda, WHO Consultant in Namibia
“The nurses instructed me what remedy to take, and I adopted their directions fastidiously, taking my remedy concurrently I gave my child. I now have 4 kids, all of whom are HIV-negative, and I really feel excellent,” says Tjozongoro, of Opuwo, the capital of Kunene Area within the north-west of Namibia.
Tjozongoro’s story is just not distinctive within the nation, the place, yearly, 12 000 ladies dwelling with HIV give start and 96% of their infants are born HIV-free. Elevated entry to HIV therapy and companies has led to a 70% discount of mother-to-child transmission of HIV within the final 20 years.
In Might 2024, World Well being Group (WHO) licensed Namibia as having reached “silver tier” standing for progress in lowering mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The nation additionally attained a “bronze tier” standing on the trail to ending transmission of hepatitis B from mom to little one. Amongst different elements, WHO certifies a rustic as having attained silver tier standing when the hepatitis B vaccine is given to 50% or extra new child infants. Bronze certification is awarded to international locations which have lowered the vertical transmission of HIV from mom to little one to lower than 5%.
“It’s so gratifying to notice that after 22 years of concerted effort, we have now now come to the scenario the place World Well being Group has acknowledged that Namibia is on the trail to elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B,” says Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia’s Minister of Well being.
This landmark achievement displays the nation’s concerted technique to curb transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis, as a part of a broader well being and improvement agenda, integrating major well being care with antenatal, little one well being and sexual and reproductive well being companies. The federal government additionally dedicated secure home finance to nationwide well being programmes, providing broadly accessible, high-quality patient-centred and free medical companies and assist.
“I now have 4 kids, all of whom are HIV-negative, and I really feel excellent.” Aazehe Tjozongoro, lady dwelling with HIV
Hilia Sam, a registered nurse at Opuwo Clinic, explains that each one pregnant ladies are examined for HIV. In the event that they check optimistic, they’re instantly enrolled within the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme. A mixture of HIV therapy and counselling follows, persevering with after ladies give start.
“We provide prophylaxis to HIV-exposed infants which might be breastfeeding till moms cease breastfeeding at 18 months, however this continues if ladies are nonetheless breastfeeding after that age,” Sam says.
Group cooperation is vital, with devoted neighborhood adherence teams guaranteeing well timed entry to remedy for folks dwelling with HIV. “Individuals come collectively to kind teams of between 5 to fifteen members. They then take turns to go and get everybody’s remedy and are solely seen annually by clinicians who additionally display them for tuberculosis and different associated situations,” says Nomagugu Ndebele, Complete Senior Well being Programme Officer in Kavango West area.
One of many major goals of those teams is to lift consciousness round PMTCT, which is simpler to realize in small teams, the place members can ask questions, search recommendation and assist each other, she provides.
WHO has been offering steerage to international locations relating to initiation of PMTCT programmes and their sustainability. Equally, in 2002, Namibia authorities launched the federal government funded PMTCT programme. In 2014, the primary Nationwide Elimination Technique was initiated, adopted by the Nationwide Roadmap to Elimination of HIV and syphilis in 2020, with viral hepatitis B interventions added later. WHO additionally supported the nation to determine a multisectoral Nationwide Validation Committee for elimination of the three ailments.
“Namibia’s milestone achievements replicate a deep dedication by the nation to guard the lives of ladies and kids, and we, as WHO, are proud to have performed a job. Going ahead, we stay absolutely dedicated to supporting the nation in each means potential in the direction of the objective of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis,” says Dr Richard Banda, WHO Consultant in Namibia.
