Winning HIV fight with Nditha

Locals in Salima have hailed Nditha project for promoting adherence to prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) among couples in the district.

According to authorities from communities surrounding Lifuwu and Maganga health centres where the project is being implemented, the project improved male involvement in maternal and neonatal issues.

In an interview on Thursday, Lifuwu Health Center health advisory committee chairperson Harrison Yona said before the project, most pregnant women were coming for neonatal services without their spouses.

He said now 90 percent of pregnant women come with their spouses and this has helped health authorities to administer PMTCT counselling to both parents at the same time.

“Couple adherence has increased from 20 percent in 2017 to over 90 percent this year at Lifuwu Health Centre,” he said.

Yona said the project has also promoted community involvement in health processes such as lobbying for particular services from well-wishers.

Maganga Health Centre nurse midwife technician Felister Chikoti asked three-month-old pregnant women to start accessing maternal and neonatal services.

He thanked Nditha project for promoting men’s role in provision of pre-birth preparatory materials.

Nditha district project manager for Salima, Ruth Armson, said the project aims at addressing contemporary maternal issues through provision of necessary knowledge and skills to both health workers and community members. n