Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT)
PMTCT unit was first established in 2005 with purpose of preventing vertical HIV transmission from mother to child. Following the adaptation of new WHO recommendation of option B+ into the Zanzibar PMTCT guidelines, all pregnant and lactating women with HIV infection are eligible to lifelong ART regardless of WHO Clinical Stage or CD4 count; this emphases to Elimination of New Pediatrics HIV infections and improving care for infected partners and their children.
PMTCT program targets women of reproductive health, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, their partners and infants. In addition, early infant diagnosis (EID) is a component of PMTCT program that entails early identification of HIV-exposed and infected infants for prompt management to improve their wellbeing and survival. All identified HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women are initiated lifelong ART soon after diagnosis, regardless of immunologic (CD4 count) or clinical (WHO staging) status, in accordance with Option B+ strategy recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).
The PMTCT Unit has been strategically using different approaches to improve and increase access to and utilization of PMTCT services, through the following strategies:
- Capacity building
- Advocacy
- Integration of PMTCT services into HIV service networks
- Procurement of essential reagents and other commodities – Securing all relevant commodities and supplies, and other equipment to enhance PMTCT services
Goals
The goal of PMTCT services is to reduce mother to child HIV transmission and improve care for infected partners and their children.