LASG steps up efforts to curb mother-to-child transmission of HIV

To reduce the transmission of HIV from mothers to their newborns, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), has trained 330 healthcare workers on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

The two-day training focused on equipping participants with essential skills for managing HIV-positive pregnant women, early infant diagnosis, and postpartum treatment.

The training targeted three key groups: healthcare workers, mentor mothers, and laboratory personnel. The first category, PMTCT training, aimed to strengthen healthcare providers’ capacity to link HIV-positive pregnant women from traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to the PMTCT Programme.

The second category focused on training mentor mothers to provide psychosocial support and ensure retention in HIV care, while the third group, laboratory workers, were trained in early infant diagnosis, covering sample collection, storage, and transportation.

Speaking at the event, the Programme Manager of SOMLPforR, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, stressed the importance of the initiative in reducing maternal and infant HIV transmission rates.

She explained that Lagos State has over 60 PMTCT sites where mentor mothers facilitate care for HIV-positive pregnant women, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment throughout pregnancy and delivery.

“Saving One Million Lives is committed to improving maternal and child health outcomes. This training is a key strategy to equip health workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. “We are also building the capacity of our laboratorians to ensure early infant diagnosis is carried out efficiently, preventing further complication”, Erinosho stated.

On her part, the Director of Disease Control at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, described HIV as a major public health concern that requires sustained preventive and curative efforts. She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring access to quality HIV services across the state.

HIV is being treated as a chronic illness, and it is our responsibility to ensure access to both preventive and treatment services.

“This training will enable health workers to provide the necessary care, encourage early testing, and support those who test positive to live healthy and productive lives.”

The Lagos State Programme Coordinator for HIV, Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, provided further insights into the structure of the training, which engaged 120 healthcare workers, 120 laboratory technicians, and 90 mentor mothers.

According to him, the approach is designed to improve service delivery and reduce vertical HIV transmission rates.

The process begins with testing pregnant women during antenatal care. Those who test positive are enrolled in the PMTCT program, placed on antiretroviral therapy, and closely monitored throughout pregnancy and delivery.

“Specialised delivery procedures are followed to minimize the risk of transmission, and newborns receive immediate care based on strict protocols.

Fisher also emphasised the critical role of laboratory officers in early infant diagnosis. “Proper collection, batching, transportation, and analysis of blood samples from newborns are crucial. This training enhances our ability to efficiently handle Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples, which help in making informed medical decisions.”

Fisher noted that these trained women, who are also living with HIV, serve as counselors, guiding expectant mothers through their journey and reassuring them that they can give birth to HIV-free babies.

“Mentor mothers provide psychosocial support, help pregnant women understand their treatment plans, and ensure adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

They also guide them in making informed choices regarding breastfeeding or formula feeding,” he added.

Fisher further explained the importance of postnatal follow-up, stating that HIV-exposed infants are monitored closely after birth.

“At six weeks, we conduct early infant diagnosis tests. From birth, the baby is placed on antiretroviral medication as a preventive measure, ensuring double protection against the virus. Continuous monitoring is essential to prevent transmission and improve health outcomes.”

Participants at the training expressed their appreciation for the initiative, highlighting its impact on their professional practice and commitment to improving HIV care services.

One of the participants, Dr. Adigun Ololade, a Clinical Medical Officer at the General Hospital, Gbagada, acknowledged the training’s role in identifying gaps in current care practices. “This training has helped me recognize key areas where we need improvement. I will certainly share these insights with my colleagues and ensure we implement better care practices for children, in line with USAID’s goal of leaving no child behind in HIV care,” he said.