What if mothers and their babies lived healthier lives?
On October 1, 2014, Millennium Villages Project (MVP), in partnership with Elizabeth Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and Isingiro local Government, graduated 68 HIV exposed infants – confirmed negative! The occasion was crowned with musical interludes and a dramatic presentation by the Ruhiira Anti HIV/AIDS drama group. In attendance was the UNAIDS country representative who commended the effort of MVP in saving the lives of HIV exposed infants. They pledged more support towards elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) and called upon all stakeholders to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Sixty-eight HIV exposed infants were awarded with certificates – congratulations! Others awarded with certificates of recognition were health workers of respective health facilities who worked tirelessly for the past 18 months to achieve the HIV negative status of the exposed infants. The graduation ceremony cemented the confidence of HIV positive mothers on possibilities of bearing HIV negative babies. It also promoted awareness in the community and highlighted the importance of the Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV (EMTCT) program at the health facility.