HIV POSITIVE BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS URGED TO ADHERE TO MEDICAL ADVICE

By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kabale—
Health officials in Kabale District have called on breastfeeding mothers living with HIV to strictly adhere to medical advice and treatment in order to eliminate the risk of transmitting the virus to their babies.
The appeal was made in honor of World Breastfeeding Week, which is observed globally every year from August 1st to 7th. This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as a key investment in children’s health, nutrition and the well-being of communities.
Medical experts say that while HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding, the risk can be greatly reduced when mothers consistently take antiretroviral therapy (ART), attend regular medical check-ups and follow the guidance of health workers.
Speaking to our reporter, the Kabale District Health Educator, Alfred Besigensi, encouraged mothers living with HIV not to fear breastfeeding, explaining that current national health guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding alongside strict adherence to HIV treatment.
Besigensi said mothers should ensure that they take their antiretroviral drugs every day as prescribed because maintaining viral suppression significantly lowers the chances of transmitting HIV to their babies. He further advised mothers to take their babies for routine HIV testing and follow-up care until they are at least one year old so that any health concerns can be detected and managed early.
He also appealed to families and communities to support mothers living with HIV by encouraging them to attend health facilities and complete all recommended maternal and child health services.
The In-charge of the Pediatric Ward at Rugarama Hospital, Komujuni Nayebare, reiterated that being HIV-positive should not prevent a mother from breastfeeding her child.
She explained that breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for infants because it contains all the nutrients, antibodies and protective factors needed for healthy growth and development during the first months of life. She noted that mothers who consistently take their medication and remain under the care of trained health workers can safely breastfeed while minimizing the risk of HIV transmission.
Komujuni urged mothers to attend postnatal clinics regularly, seek medical attention whenever they experience challenges during breastfeeding and avoid abandoning treatment. She added that continuous counselling from healthcare providers helps mothers understand the safest feeding practices for their babies.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Kariyo, a midwife at Kigezi Health Foundation (KIHEFO) in Kigongi, Kabale, encouraged expectant mothers to begin antenatal care early and ensure they deliver from recognized health facilities.
Kariyo said health facilities provide routine HIV testing, counselling and treatment services that help prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. She emphasized that skilled birth attendance enables health workers to monitor both mother and baby and provide timely interventions whenever necessary.
She further urged pregnant women to attend all recommended antenatal visits, disclose their HIV status to healthcare providers where necessary and follow medical instructions throughout pregnancy and after delivery.
One breastfeeding mother living with HIV, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, shared her personal experience, saying she only discovered that she was HIV-positive after attending antenatal care during pregnancy.
She said the counselling and support she received from health workers encouraged her to start treatment immediately and faithfully follow all medical advice. As a result, she successfully gave birth to an HIV-negative baby.
The mother appealed to fellow women not to fear HIV testing or antenatal care, saying early diagnosis and adherence to treatment can protect both mother and child. She also called on the government and development partners to intensify community awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and educating families about safe breastfeeding among mothers living with HIV.
She noted that increased public awareness would help more mothers seek medical care without fear of discrimination and ensure that children are born and raised free from HIV.