Born Free of HIV in West Africa

Expanding GAIA’s longest standing program has always been a passion for GAIA’s national director, pediatrician Dr. Karamoko Tounkara. In addition to amplifying the testing rates in Mali, GAIA’s trained staff hold the road map to implementing successful MTCTP at any community-run clinic in Mali (of which there are 1,170). In 2016, Dr. Tounkara proposed a partnership with the community clinic of Banconi (ASACOBA), which serves a densely populated neighborhood bordering Sikoro.

Choosing this clinic as a partner was a strategic choice by Dr. Tounkara to exponentially increase HIV testing among pregnant women. When we discussed MTCTP with ASACOBA staff in early 2016, their main concern was fluctuation in the availability of testing supplies. Despite the high rates of prenatal care, the HIV testing coverage among pregnant women often fluctuated from 100% to 8% due to a lack of a testing supplies.

Thanks to donor constributions, GAIA  was able to cover testing supplies for 10 months in 2017. Data from the clinic demonstrates how crucial this donation was in bringing testing coverage to 100% of women seen for prenantal care each month. Midwives reported that 9 infants were born to HIV+ mothers at the clinic and one infant was born at home. All of infants received follow- up care according to the national protocol, which includes ARV treatment and cotrimoxazole to prevent bacterial infection. There were no cases of mother to child transmission.

In 2018, it is crucial to continue the provision of HIV testing supplies to Banconi clinic.  With the success of this program, we can ensure that all cases of verical HIV transmission in Banconi are eliminated!

Can you join us to keep the testing rates at 100%?

We are so grateful for your support!

GAIA currently funds HIV testing of all pregnant women seen for prenatal care at the Community clinic in Sikoro: our longstanding “Chez Rosalie, Mother to Child Transmission Prevention Program”. This month we have some exciting news!

Thanks to your support, we are expanding our successful program to a second community clinic located in the neighborhood of Banconi (next to Sikoro).

The picture above is from the Banconi clinic during our recent trip to Bamako: GAIA’s founder, Dr. Annie is flanked by a midwife and a community health worker who were both part of GAIA’s cervical cancer screening program. The Banconi physician director, Dr. Mariko is in the middle, with GAIA Director Dr. Karamoko and Kotou to the right.

Here’s the thing about the Community clinic of Banconi (ASACOBA): Although classified as a community clinic it’s actually a very spacious and well-designed center that serves a large population. Banconi is, in fact, the most populous neighborhood in the city. In terms of treatment, ASACOBA serves almost as many patients as the local reference hospital. However, this also means that they routinely run out of HIV testing supplies for their prenatal care program. Over a 6-month period, they may only have enough testing supplies for 3 months, which means hundreds of pregnant women each month might miss an opportunity to get tested. 

So, what’s exciting about GAIA’s new partnership?

• GAIA can increase our reach and visibility for our oldest and most successful prevention programs.
• We can support HIV testing for pregnant women among a large population and help the clinic reach 100%
• We can brainstorm with clinic staff to increase patient follow-up and adherence to treatment programs.
• We can share our experiences in Sikoro, where, over the years, our HIV patient base has coalesced into an association (Hope Association of Sikoro) for the promotion of anti-stigmatization activities.

With your help, we can ensure that ASACOBA midwives never run out of testing supplies and they can keep their testing rates at 100% of pregnant women, and all babies can be born HIV free!

Will you join us? Today only, your donation will be matched!