The Catholic Medical Mission Board

The Catholic Medical Mission Board
“Born-to-Live” PMTCT project was
initiated after CHAK hosted the first
national faith-based PMTCT experience
sharing workshop in March 2003.
Based on a working partnership
between the Kenya Episcopal
Conference and CHAK, it was agreed
that Catholic Medical Mission Board
would roll out PMTCT services in 20
CHAK health units in response to
increasing needs. CHAK has now
introduced PMTCT services in 65
member health facilities and plans to
cover 100 sites.
Lessons learnt
CHAK’s work has produced some
insights into how to proceed, including:
1. PMTCT must be the norm in mother
child health care. Health workers
and clients should view PMTCT
service as a routine part of the
mother child health care experience.
2. Community mobilization is needed
to influence public attitudes.
Strengthening the ties between the
mother child health clinic, outside
sources of care and the community,
including other public sector health
services, non-governmental
organizations, the private sector, lay
workers, families, husbands,
churches and community leaders.
3. Facilitate access to comprehensive
care for mothers and families, which
can ensures continuity of care and
creates hope thus reducing stigma.
4. Scaling up and sustainability require
increased coverage to lower-level
facilities, in-service training for
untrained and retired midwives, a
communication strategy to increase
demand for services, partner
mapping and community-based
delivery of PMTCT.
5. Improved quality and sustainability
of services requires an emphasis on
comprehensive care and integration,
support of supervision teams, and
strengthening linkages with
antiretroviral therapy programmes.
6. Reducing stigma by involving men,
community mobilization and creating
linkages to community-based services.
We are all called upon to work together
towards an HIV-Free Generation. Lets
us give hope to the children; the
generation of tomorrow.