In the Kibondo District near Tanzania’s northwestern border, more women are participating in the International Rescue Committee’s program to avert the spread of HIV from mothers to their young children.
Dubbed Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), IRC’s program is part of a reproductive health package that focuses on family planning, safe motherhood, prevention and response to gender-based violence, and control of sexually transmitted infections.
Dr. Gaudensia Luguku, IRC’s reproductive health coordinator in Tanzania, says most mothers visiting IRC’s maternal and child health clinics go through pre- and post-test counseling. Those that have tested positive have accepted treatment, leading to the decline in the number of HIV-positive children living in the district this year.
Buchumi Serafina and her daughter, Niyokwizera Penina, stand in front of the IRC hospital in Mtendeli Camp.. Though the 29-year-old Burundian refugee, is HIV-positive, her three-year-old has tested negative for the virus. Mother and daughter have been enrolled in IRC's program for two years.
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Ndereyimana Mary Jane takes a break from a training program on nutrition for people living with HIV/AIDS at Mtendeli Camp. She holds her two-year old son, Nduwayo Menelick, who has tested negative for HIV.
Many refugees living in the camp hide their positive status for fear of discrimination and harassment, but Mary Jane has suggested that IRC take pictures of the mothers and their healthy children to encourage other HIV-positive mothers to participate in the program.
IRC’s Tanzania staff continues encourage refugees to participate in the PMTCT program. One way to involve more women is through small-group counseling like this one in Nduta Camp.
While waiting for their turn at the Nduta Camp hospital, refugees listen to a lecture on reproductive health and the PMTCT. The IRC is working hard to increase male involvement in all of its programs that concern the health of mothers and children.
While waiting for their turn at the Nduta Camp hospital, refugees listen to a lecture on reproductive health and the PMTCT. The IRC is working hard to increase male involvement in all of its programs that concern the health of mothers and children.
The IRC offers couples living in the camp the chance to explore their reproductive health options and to participate in other IRC programs such as family planning and pre- and post-natal care, as well as safe motherhood and care of newborn infants.
Aside from the PMTCT, the IRC has a whole range of reproductive health programs that serve approximately 70,320 Burundian and Congolese refugees living in the Kibondo District refugee camps in western Tanzania (as well as local residents living in the area). These include pre- and post-natal services as well as expanded programs for immunization and growth monitoring for children.
Aside from the PMTCT, the IRC has a whole range of reproductive health programs that serve approximately 70,320 Burundian and Congolese refugees living in the Kibondo District refugee camps in western Tanzania (as well as local residents living in the area). These include pre- and post-natal services as well as expanded programs for immunization and growth monitoring for children.
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