Tshwane concerned about rise in HIV infections in new borns

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The City of Tshwane’s Health Department has expressed concern at the continued rise in mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in the Tshwane District.

The City says 232 babies in Gauteng tested positive for HIV in the first six months of this year, with almost 40 of them from Tshwane.

The City of Tshwane’s Grandi Theunissen, “The City of Tshwane Health Department offers mother, women, child health and nutrition programmes at its 24 primary healthcare clinics. These programmes seek to contribute towards the reduction of maternal and child morbidity and mortality by ensuring that clinics offer quality services. Key focus areas under this programme include, among others, basic antenatal care and prevention of MTCT transmission.”

In June, the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) expressed concern about the pace at which the country is dealing with HIV infections in children.

South Africa, together with 11 other countries, is a signatory to the Global Alliance to end the pandemic in children by 2030.

According to SANAC, each year, there is an estimated 50 000 new HIV infections among children and adolescents in the country.

The Global Alliance and SANAC were hosting a dialogue in Cape Town, to decrease these numbers by providing support, education, and resources, to teen mothers.

Dr Nkhensani Nkhwashu, Executive Manager of NSP Implementation at SANAC shares more: