Makueni County has celebrated the graduation of 40 HIV-free babies born by HIV-positive mothers in a ceremony witnessed by key people in the medical sector in the county at the Makueni Mother and Child Facility where every graduating baby received a certificate.
One of the mothers who dropped out of university due to lack of tuition fees revealed she was born with the disease but discovered it when she was tested at six years old, and to make it worse, she lost her father in the same year.
She notes that she faced a lot of stigma in school but she did not give up as she received counseling and support from her mother and medics.
“The stigma from school motivated me to work harder. It was not easy for me, especially taking ARVs when that young,” said the mother of one.
She studied hard and joined university but later dropped out during her second year due to insufficient school fees.
Later she met her husband who was also HIV positive with whom they gave birth to an HIV-free baby who was among the 40 babies graduating.
She encouraged people to know their status and urged residents to stop the stigmatization of victims.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, who was present at the graduation, got moved and pledged to sponsor her to complete her education and realize her dreams.
Mary Malonza, a medic and mentor mother in Makueni Referral Hospital noted that she disclosed her HIV status during times when stigma was very high in the country.
“When I knew of my status, I never gave up in life. My HIV-negative baby is now in Grade 6. I have supported and trained young mothers living with HIV on how to give birth to negative babies with the help of our medics,” said Malonza.
Governor Kilonzo said that he was happy because viral suppression at the County was now at 96 per cent in the county.
He challenged the youth to be extra careful noting that many parents cease taking care after they pass the 15-24 age bracket.
“Thank you to our partners and medics who are helping in the fight against HIV. The support from the U.S Centre for Disease Control (USCDC) and Prevention continues to help eliminate paediatric HIV by 2027.
The governor was accompanied by USCDC Kenya Director for Global HIV and TB Division Dr. Jennifer Galbraith as they launched the county’s HIV transition roadmap as well as leading the graduation.
Dr. Jennifer thanked the young mothers for taking their ARVs accordingly to help keep their babies negative during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
By Lydia Ngoolo
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