YESTERDAY it was reported that Masaka Health Centre had recorded a drop in the number of HIV-infected infants. This is good news, not only for parents and their HIV free babies, but for the whole nation.

Statistics show that none of the children born this year was infected with the virus.

Many factors are probably responsible for this trend. They include sensitisation on voluntary HIV testing by couples or pregnant women, safe sexual practices and prevention of mother-to-child-infections.

For other health centres in the country to ensure similar results, as Masaka Health Centre, more needs to be done. Sensitisation on the importance of regular antenatal check-ups and delivering in health centres, should be emphasised.

If women do not go for antenatal check-ups, some complications to their babies might not be discovered and rectified in time. In as far as HIV is concerned, when they visit antenatal clinics, couples are able to receive counselling on the importance of voluntary testing.

If the parents are HIV free, they are advised on prevention. Above all, if the mother is HIV-infected, she is not only counselled but also helped to prevent mother-to-child infection.

Research shows that mother-to-child infection might occur during pregnancy, but is more likely during child birth if carried out unprofessionally. Rural people tend not to attach importance to having their babies born in health centres preferring instead, traditional mid-wives. This is, sometimes, a result of ignorance about the benefits of health centres.

With continued and effective sensitisation, parents should be able to consider their child’s health first. If mother-to-child infections are prevented, we should have healthier children who will be able to serve their nation.

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