HIVSA
South Africa, Johannesburg
HIVSA (HIV South Africa) is the successor of the very first Orange Babies project in Soweto, Africa. Soweto has over 3 million inhabitants and over 30.000 children are born here each year. The number of children infected with HIV through mother-to-child transmission dropped impressively since the year 2000 from 30% to less than 2%. A great result to which Orange Babies contributed! Until the end of 2015 Orange Babies supported the counsellors who informed/educated the people in 8 different clinics (the greater Baragwanath Hospital and 7 other community clinics) about PMTCT and about safe breastfeeding in case someone is HIV positive. If mothers can’t breastfeed, extra formula is provided. The counsellors, who were paid by Orange Babies, will be paid by the government from 2016. Together with Orange Babies HIVSA will now visit CBO’s (Community Based Organisations). They will commit to testing and educating communities on PMTCT and related issues, in regions with little access to clinics. Orange Babies supports a part of this organisation that focusses completely on Child Protect, preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, and reducing the number of new infections. The project aims at pregnant vulnerable women, young women and adolescents and at the grandparents.
Results achieved:
- In the facilities we have reached 91.556 women with information and education on HIV and pregnancy.
- 9563 women received 1 on 1 counselling. This often gives women the courage to get tested and if HIV positive, to start treatment to make sure their children are born HIV negative.
- In May 2015 HIVSA started a trial in which 623 women participated. Aim of the trial was to look at the role of ‘Peer Education’ and to offer 1 on 1 support to make sure that HIV-positive pregnant women get tested and take medication. And eventually give birth to a HIV-negative child.
- In the African culture grandparents play an important role in the upbringing. They often take care of the children and are therefore able to pass on information to family and villagers. A total of 25 grandparents (Gogos & Mkhulus) were trained intensively so they would have the appropriate knowledge and skills regarding HIV and ways of transmission.
