Mbarara, Uganda – In a recent health media cafe held at the Holy Innocents children’s hospital in Mbarara city, Uganda, experts emphasized the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence for HIV-positive mothers to protect their breastfeeding babies from contracting the virus. Dr. Mike Kyewalyanga highlighted the significance of increasing antenatal visits to support HIV-positive mothers and ensure the birth of HIV-negative babies.

Despite the progress made in reducing mother-to-child transmission rates in Uganda, challenges persist. Natukunda Angela, a breastfeeding mother living with HIV, shared her concerns about medication burden for babies and the risks of under-dosage due to spitting or vomiting of tablets. She called for the exploration of alternative medications, such as injectables, to ensure the well-being of HIV-exposed infants.

Junior Mathias, in charge of the ART clinic, advised against self-testing and urged the public to always visit health units that use facility-based techniques to avoid unnecessary stress from false positive results. He urged the public to seek HIV services from health units rather than resorting to self-testing.

Overall, Uganda is on track to achieve the 95-95-95 target by 2030, as set by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. With dedicated interventions and support systems in place, the country aims to further reduce mother-to-child transmission rates and ensure the health of children born to HIV-positive mothers.

The personal story of Natukunda Angela highlights the resilience of mothers living with HIV and the importance of government support and interventions in enabling them to live positively despite their status. As Uganda continues its efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, adherence to ART remains crucial in protecting the next generation from the virus.