USAID AMPATH Uzima HIV-exposed Infants Graduation 2023: A Remarkable Milestone in HIV Prevention
In a powerful testament to relentless efforts in combatting HIV transmission from mother to child, the annual HIV-exposed Infants (HEI) Graduation Ceremony was hosted at both Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Kitale County Referral Hospital (KCRH) in September. The celebrations marked the graduation of 180 toddlers who were declared HIV-negative after being born to HIV-positive mothers through the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program. This ceremony showcases the dedication of healthcare professionals and the resilience of the human spirit.
The chief guest, MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson Aruasa, MBS, EBS, commended the exceptional success rates achieved at MTRH, noting it as a model elimination site with very low positivity rates. He highlighted the remarkable fact that MTRH had zero missed testing and ART, Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) opportunities, even at a time when other sites experienced missed opportunities in 2022. Dr. Aruasa emphasized that the graduation of these children from the PMTCT program is not an endpoint but a milestone on a continuing journey to prevent new HIV infections and ensure the health and well-being of all mothers and children.
In Kitale County Referral Hospital, the second leg of the celebration showcased the exceptional strides in Trans Nzoia County. While the settings were distinct, the commitment to the cause remained unwavering.
The chief guest at this ceremony, Madam Justina Sitti, the governor’s advisor on matters gender in Trans Nzoia County, applauded the outstanding success rates achieved at KCRH, noting it as another model elimination site with very low positivity rates. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the supportive health system and committed hospital leadership that has provided the necessary infrastructure and resources for the PMTCT program to thrive. Through your efforts, the county has increased skilled birth delivery from 65.7% in 2022 to 67.2% in 2023. This is one pillar in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission. Without your dedication and vision, we would not have achieved this level of success,” said Justina.
Both ceremonies occurred against the backdrop of the launch of the Kenya Plan to End AIDS in Children by 2027. The comprehensive 4-point action plan targets to eliminate AIDS in children by 2027, including ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.
