The Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organisations (MANASO) says there has been notable progress in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in the country.

Chairperson for MANASO, Maziko Matemba told YONECO FM online that expectant mothers   are encouraged to get tested for HIV in order to protect their unborn child from HIV infection and this has assisted a lot.

“This is under control because of the investments we have at the moment from the Global Fund and the present statistics are indicating that not many children are contracting HIV from their mother,” said Matemba.

On the other hand Matemba pointed out the issue of not adhering to treatment by some mothers saying this is a setback to the efforts made on PMTCT, he has therefore appealed to all ensure they protect their unborn babies from contracting HIV by among other getting tested and adhering to treatment.

“We still have children who are born with HIV because their mothers do not take the niverapine drug which protects the child from contracting HIV from their mother, the numbers are few  but still need to underline the importance of getting an HIV test during pregnancy.”