[pronut-hiv] Uganda: More Babies Getting HIV

["ProNut-HIV" <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org>]

Uganda: More Babies Getting HIV

New Vision (Kampala)

June 12, 2006
Charles Kakamwa
Kampala

MOTHER-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS is the second highest means of
spread of the scourge in Uganda, after sexual intercourse, researchers
have said.

Dr. Enid Mbabazi of the Makerere University Institute of Public Health
said studies also indicated that diseases like malaria and syphilis
during pregnancy increased the risk of HIV transmission to the unborn
child.

"That is why pregnant mothers with HIV should test for malaria and
syphilis and get treatment to reduce the risk of infection of the
child," she said, adding thatat least 20,000 babies are born with HIV
each year.

Mbabazi was speaking at the launch of the Prevention of Mother To Child
Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) programme in Busedde sub-county, Jinja
district on Wednesday.

The function, organised by the district directorate of health in
conjunction with Makerere University and the Centre for Disease Control,
was presided over by the secretary for health, Rose Kakaire.

Mbabazi said beating pregnant women also posed a great health risk.

Sarah Byakika, the deputy district director of health services, said
the PMTCT programme, which was introduced at Jinja Hospital in 2002, was
now operational in 17 health centres in the district.