Africa-Press – Angola. At least 318 babies born to HIV-positive mothers in the different health units of Cuando Cubango, in the period from 2018 to the first quarter of this year, are free of HIV/AIDS, as part of the “Born Free to Shine” campaign.
The provincial coordinator of the Program to Combat HIV/AIDS, Maria de Fátima Matias, considered that this gain was possible because HIV-positive pregnant women were submitted to the Program for the Prevention of Cutting of Vertical Transmission, which prevents the contagion of the disease from mother to child during childbirth.
Speaking at the end of a seminar on “Born Free to Shine”, in which the wife of the provincial governor, Lídia Martins, was present, the coordinator made it known that, in the period under review, more than seven thousand pregnant women were advised and tested, in order to know their serological status, provide the necessary assistance, cut vertical transmission and follow-up the babies for a period of 18 months.
Maria de Fátima Matias regretted the fact that many pregnant women gave up on treatment, due to lack of good nutrition. “HIV/AIDS drugs are strong and require healthy food to keep the person from becoming debilitated,” she explained.
In the context of the fight against AIDS, the official said that, during 2021, 36,220 people were tested, of which 2,152 with positive results. In the first quarter of this year, 6,889 tests were carried out, and 300 were positive. Of that last number, 43 were women.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
