Campaign in place to prevent HIV among children
Tilottama (Rupandehi), Dec 31: A campaign has been put in place in Rupandehi to keep children born to mother with HIV safe from the pandemic disease.
The campaign has been initiated in 18 birthing centres including three big hospitals in the district.
The community-based child-focused HIV preventive service was launched this year in all 18 birthing centres along the Amda Hospital Butwal, Devdaha Medical College, UCMS Bhairahawa, said acting Chief of Rupandehi District Public Health Office, Tikaram Adhikari.
There is 20 to 45 per cent chance of HIV transfer to child born to infected mother, said Public Health Officer at National AIDS and STD Prevention Centre Krishna Prasad Nagila. He further said that the rate can be reduced to below two per cent if the programme is operated effectively.
The chance of transfer from mother to child is 5-10 per cent during pregnancy, 10-15 per cent while giving birth and 5-20 per cent while breastfeeding, he informed.
To prevent this, the pregnant mother will be providing medicines and coucnessling services and training will be imparted to the health workers providing services to this effect.
Though the programme has been rolled out in Nepal since 2015, it will be in put in place in Rupandehi from 2026. Now the programme is being implemented in 15 districts of the country including all districts of Lumbini zone.