Stop the Spread of HIV from Mothers to Babies

“I can't wait to meet my little one healthy,” The Story of Marita

When *Marita* was diagnosed with HIV during her antenatal appointment at 5 weeks, she was shocked and startled because she had no HIV-related signs or symptoms.
“I was feeling fine and I didn’t exhibit any signs or symptoms neither did my partner,” Marita said. “When I sat down with the nurse, she said comforting words and she mostly told me that my next choice of living healthy would be for my baby’s sake.”

Marita was advised to disclose to her partner as soon as she could so that he would get tested immediately and if found positive, both of them would support one another to start their medication and adhere as directed by the health workers.
Sadly, when Marita disclosed to her partner, he instead put the blame on her referring to her as a prostitute, and also went ahead and denied the pregnancy, as a result, the two separated. Though she was disappointed by this result, Marita tried to stay strong for the sake of her child. She was introduced to the EMTCT care unit at Alive Medical Services and got a chance to meet mothers in the care unit who shared with her all their testimonies of the possibilities of having a healthy HIV-negative baby.
“Meeting the mothers helped me a lot, I got more strength and I can’t wait to meet my little one on that day. I met an interesting mother who mentioned to me that she has had 5 of her babies very healthy under the care of Alive Medical Services. I mean, this was my home now, what else was I looking for? If I could be like them, my life wouldn’t need to change.”
Nevertheless, Marita accepted the situation with grace and was prepared to face her fears because she had been offered counseling, her fears of passing the virus to her child had subsided, and she was prepared to follow the health worker's advice.

“The nurses and counselors have followed up on me from the time I was diagnosed. When I come for my appointments, the scan is done and I am always updated on the health of my baby. I am now strong; I can’t wait to meet my little one. Some days are hard but my baby needs me to be strong and I also have the health workers where who treat us with love and dignity. And the good news is I am going to breastfeed my baby.” Marita excitingly shares.

Through Alive Medical Services' Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission program, the organization aims to support expectant moms like Marita in leading normal lives and giving birth to healthy, HIV-free children. The facility has not registered an HIV-positive mother who could infect the infant in its care since 2013. Because of the opportunities to offer comprehensive prenatal and postnatal services to women living with HIV, all of this has been successful.
Marita is extremely grateful to all our donors and partners.