Imbuto Foundation has called upon opinion leaders to embrace the campaign against mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. The Director General of the Foundation, Redegonde Ndejuru, made the call Tuesday in Musanze at an advocacy meeting attended by opinion leaders, health officials and vice mayors from the Northern Province.
Imbuto Foundation has called upon opinion leaders to embrace the campaign against mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
The Director General of the Foundation, Redegonde Ndejuru, made the call Tuesday in Musanze at an advocacy meeting attended by opinion leaders, health officials and vice mayors from the Northern Province.
The countrywide meetings aim at increasing awareness on Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV.
Prevention of HIV among women of reproductive age and prevention of unplanned pregnancies among women living with HIV were cited among the strategies to curtail new child infections.
"Mothers at the grassroots should understand the importance of this campaign. Everybody has to get involved,” Ndejuru said. "When the strategies are implemented well, we are certain of eliminating HIV transmission to infants.’’
Local leaders were challenged to ‘take the lead’ in mobilising, providing appropriate treatment and care to mothers living with HIV, their children and families.
The Provincial Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe stressed the need for a mind-set change to prevent HIV infection and stigma.
"This campaign should be a landmark struggle involving everybody, stakeholders and religious leaders to eliminate the transmission of HIV, among infants,” he said.
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