MTCT project to be implemented
As scientists continue to look for a cure for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, one medication has proven effective when it comes to preventing Mother to Child Transmission or MTCT. Since Wednesday, the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization, UNAIDS and the National Aids Commission have been meeting to develop a technical cooperation project between Belize and the Bahamas to implement the MTCT prevention programme in Belize.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Since Bahamas initiated its MTCT programme in 1996, it has managed to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV by half. Today, Bahamas is assisting the government in developing a similar programme in Belize.
Dr. Perry Gomez, Chief, Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Bahamas
“We knew our transmission rate was thirty percent before starting and with AZT we were able to reduce transmission less than ten percent to around nine point six percent, so it has been a very effective programme. Three years after starting it, the Government of the Bahamas has taken over the programme and the government fully funds the AZT programme for the prevention of mother to child transmission.”
The procedure requires an expectant woman, who is HIV positive to take the drug AZT during her pregnancy and after birth.
Dr. Perry Gomez
“Because the AZT protocol requires giving AZT to the mother from fourteen weeks of pregnancy until labour and then during labour there is an intravenous component for the total duration of labour, there is a suspension that is given to the baby for the first six weeks of life. So you need all components of your health care system to be in place to deliver that care.”
Here in Belize, the government has agreed to support the programme and following the three-day workshop, the project should get underway.
Jacqueline Woods
“How many children have been diagnosed with the virus?”
Dr. Jorge Polanco, Deputy Director, Health Services
“We have had a few over the years over the last thirteen years when the epidemic came in. For example last year we had four, this year we have already had three which means they were born infected.”
Ruth Gloria, Coordinator, National Aids Commission
“It’s not a question of numbers and this is something that we need to recognize. Because of our small population, one case is too many and this is what we are trying to promote. Let’s not concentrate on figures, but on the reality that we are number one in Central America based on population per capita and our children are being affected more and more. This intervention will stop that spread which will impact the overall the number of cases that we have in the country.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Presently in Belize, when a woman gets pregnant is it mandatory for her to take an AIDS test?”
Dr. Jorge Polanco
“It is not mandatory, but if there are risk factors that the health care providers suspect a risk of that person being infected, she is advised to do it. Right now in the project it will not be mandatory, it will be voluntarily, but there are techniques to counsel the person and take the test so I would say everybody will be willing to take the test.”
Medical staffs are already being trained for the implementation of the MTCT programme.
The workshop will come to a close on Friday, when the group of experts will present the project to government officials and all parties concerned.
