By ERIC JUMA
There was jubilation at Dienya and Ndori health facilities in Siaya County after 122 children born free of HIV were celebrated in recognition of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
The milestone brings to 146 the number of children celebrated under the initiative, following a similar event involving 24 children at Sigomere Health Centre in Ugunja Sub-County.
The achievement was attributed to the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) programme, supported by the Siaya County Government, Centre for Health Solutions–Shinda Tena, Mildmay International Kenya and the Kenya Red Cross.
Parents and guardians were also celebrated and presented with gifts in recognition of their adherence to medical advice, which helped ensure their children were born free of HIV.
Dienya Health Facility celebrated 72 children, while Ndori Health Centre marked the milestone for 50 children.
Mothers share their journeys
Benter Apiyo Atieno, a resident of Dienya, is raising five children who are all HIV-negative. Diagnosed with HIV in 2006 at the age of 15, she recalls the challenges of accessing treatment at a time when antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) were in short supply.
“We were taking nine ARV tablets in 2006,” she said.
Atieno said uncertainty and fear about her HIV status threatened her future, but encouragement from her brothers gave her the strength to continue with treatment.
“It was the encouragement from my brothers that saw me soldiering on. I never stopped taking the drugs, which were sourced from Busia Hospital,” she said.
She married at the age of 18 and disclosed her HIV status to her husband, who subsequently accompanied her to Dienya Health Centre, where her status was confirmed.
Although her husband tested HIV-negative, she said he accepted her condition and enrolled in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce his risk of acquiring the virus.
Today, Atieno is raising five children who are HIV-negative and is expecting her sixth child. She attributes her family’s health to adherence to treatment and her determination to give her children a better future.
“I am expecting my sixth child, and I am confident that the baby will be born free of HIV,” she said.
Atieno praised her husband, Josy, for supporting her throughout their marriage and reminding her to take her medication consistently.
“My husband has stood by me and constantly reminded me when to take my drugs. Today, we celebrate having raised children who are free of HIV,” she added.
Pamela Otieno, another mother from Dienya, shared a similar experience, saying she had overcome fear, stigma and discrimination to protect her family.
Otieno said she was diagnosed with HIV in 2018 after visiting a health facility seeking treatment. She claimed nurses initially gave her a Panadol tablet and referred her to Siaya County Referral Hospital for further assessment.
At the referral hospital, she tested positive for HIV and was placed on antiretroviral treatment.
She also encouraged her ailing husband, Barack, to seek medical attention at Ngiya Health Centre, where he was enrolled in treatment.
Otieno said she gave birth to her third child after learning her HIV status. She has seven children, two of whom were born before her diagnosis.
Her husband was also diagnosed with HIV in 2018. He said he initially feared that the illness would destroy his family, but credited treatment and faith for helping them remain healthy.
“Before I was put on ARVs, I could not carry out my daily activities. I was always in bed, feeling sick,” he said.
He added that relatives had doubted his chances of survival, but he was now encouraging other people living with HIV not to lose hope.
“Those facing a similar situation should not worry. The future is bright,” he said.
Mercy Achieng Otieno, another Dienya resident, recalled the challenges she faced after being diagnosed with HIV during her first antenatal care visit in 2012.
She said she and her husband received counselling on how to manage their relationship and protect each other despite having different HIV statuses.
“We have remained in a peaceful marriage despite people’s negative comments. Today, we have three children who are free of HIV, and I continue taking my ARVs,” Achieng said.
At Ndori, another resident, identified as Mr Odhiambo, said he had been living with HIV since 2010 and continued taking medication. He said he had seven children who were HIV-negative.
He recalled that his wife introduced him to antiretroviral treatment after doctors at Ndori Health Centre summoned them for counselling.
Peres Ochieng, another parent, said her husband had initially kept his HIV status from her, leaving her worried about the risk of transmitting the virus to their unborn child.
She said her husband was eventually placed on treatment in 2020. Ochieng added that she had three children and was expecting a fourth.
Siaya targets reduction in infections
Siaya County VTP Coordinator Zilper Imbuye welcomed the progress made in preventing mother-to-child transmission, saying the county was implementing strategies to reverse the rising prevalence of HIV among children.
“I will not retire until we have zero HIV infections among children,” Imbuye said.
She said the county’s reported prevalence rate had risen to 6.7 per cent from 6.4 per cent, although the specific population covered by the figures was not stated.
Imbuye urged residents who were unsure of their HIV status to visit health facilities for testing and seek appropriate prevention services, including PrEP where indicated.
Gem Sub-County VCT Focal Person Caroline Ayieko cautioned people living with HIV against frequently changing health facilities without ensuring continuity of care.
Ayieko said moving between facilities without proper transfer of medical records could disrupt treatment monitoring and increase the risk of poor health outcomes, including HIV transmission to unborn children.
Describing some clients as “nomads”, she urged community health promoters to welcome those returning from other facilities and help them reconnect with their original treatment centres.
“I want to appeal to HIV clients whose treatment records are at Dienya Health Facility to remain linked to one facility for proper monitoring and continuity of care,” she said.
Mildmay Kenya Country Director Elizabeth Oluoch commended efforts to prevent new HIV infections among children and pledged support for expanding prevention programmes to gold-mining sites in Siaya County.
“We are going to reach Siaya’s gold-mining sites with HIV prevention strategies,” Oluoch said.
