MaximsNewsNetwork: DR CONGO HIV / AIDS: UNICEF

MaximsNewsNetwork: 30 August 2009 - UNICEF: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the worst child mortality rate in the world. In Katanga province, where the HIV infection rate has surpassed the national average, UNICEF supports a prevention of mother to child transmission program to educate mothers on how to protect their unborn babies from HIV.

These mothers to be are singing songs to celebrate new life. With child mortality rates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the worst in the world, they wish for their babies survive.

At the Kikula Health Center antenatal classes inform mothers on what to expect in pregnancy, childbirth, staying healthy and protecting their unborn babies from HIV.

25-year old Claisse is four months pregnant with her third child. She decided to get a test for HIV infection. Before the test and in the privacy of a small room, a nurse counsels her on the impact being HIV positive would have on her life as well as her unborn child.

Over the decade that shes worked, head nurse Louise Ngone has witnessed the fast-expanding prevalence of the HIV virus throughout Katanga. In 2004, with UNICEF support, her clinic, along with 26 others across Katanga, introduced a Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme.

Louise and her team work hard to build trust with the pregnant women, particularly because many are too afraid to take the voluntary test. Stigma here is widespread.




SOUNDBITE (French) Louise Ngone, Head Nurse, Kikula Health Centre:
For confidentiality reasons, we encourage the women to explain their status themselves to their husband. Once she has done that, we contact the husband so he can be tested. There are only a few husbands who agree to get tested. Some husbands have abandoned and divorced their wives without being tested themselves.




The PMTCT programme also focuses on outreach. With a strong network of health volunteers, like Elizabeth Ida Muteta. Elizabeth is a community leader, a schoolteacher and mother of ten children. She visits pregnant women at home to encourage them and their husbands to test for HIV.




SOUNDBITE (French) Elizabeth Ida Muteta, Community Volunteer:
I volunteer to help the community change their behaviors. We need to educate the community and bridge the gap between the community and the health centers.

Though she is rarely informed of anyones status, she plays a critical role in providing parents with a support system and prompting them to be tested.




In 2008, the Congolese government approved a national strategy on PMTCT to further expand services. But it requires a massive investment in the health system and infrastructure. And with less than 6,000 doctors for the 60 million Congolese people, there is a long way to go in strengthening the DRCs HIV and AIDS health care delivery systems.

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