WHAT: Media Invitation to the Launch of First Lady Campaign on Male Involvement in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)

WHO: His Excellency, President of the Republic of Namibia, Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba; First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, Ms Penehupifo Pohamba, Honourable Prime Minister M Nahas Angula; Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Nchabi, Kamwi; Honourable Governor of Khomas Region Samuel Njoma, WHO Representative, Dr Magda Robalo, UNICEF Representative, Mr. Ian MacLeod

WHEN: Date: 10 March 2011: Time: 09H00 – 12H00

WHERE: Katatura Hospital, Main Parking Area, Windhoek

WHY: To enable the press to cover the launch of an unprecedented campaign focused on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) through Male Involvement. HIV can be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. The national campaign will over a period of 10-months encourage male partner involvement in Antenatal Care (ANC) and access to PMTCT services before, during and after pregnancy. Evidence shows that male involvement in PMTCT has positive implications for reducing stigma, improving partner HIV testing, and increased uptake of antiretroviral therapy as well as improving safe infant feeding. Through male involvement in PMTCT, babies of HIV parents can be born HIV free and live a healthy life.

The goal of the PMTCT programme is to enable zero percent (0%) transmission of mother-to-child transmission by 2015. In Namibia, significant progress is being made to reduce the transmission of HIV from mother-to-child through PMTCT programmes. More than 90% of pregnant women are attending Antenatal Care (ANC) and accessing PMTCT services. The HIV transmission from mothers to newborn children has reduced by almost 50% in just two years from 13.4% in 2006/07 to 7.0% in 2008/09. This indicates that almost one in every two parents in Namibia who start PMTCT services early, adhere to treatment and lead a healthy lifestyle can give birth to an HIV-free baby.

Latest research shows that father involvement in PMTCT, helps HIV positive mothers attend ANC, get tested earlier, improve adherence to PMTCT treatment regimens and adopt safer infant feeding options. Through male involvement, babies have a greater chance of being born HIV free.

Through increased male partner involvement in PMTCT, this ambitious goal can be achieved. Thus, the campaign seeks to improve male understanding of PMTCT and their role towards ensuring an HIV free baby towards securing the future leaders of Namibia.

PMTCT programmes include Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), family planning, use of anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, counselling on the best options for infant feeding and support to keep mothers alive and thus delaying children from becoming orphans

For further information, please contact:

MoHSS: Public Relations Officer: Ms Gladys Kamboo – email - gkamboo [at] mhss.gov.na , Ph +26461-203-2054 /+264-81-216-1330

WHO: Communications & Advocacy: Michelle Thulkanam – email - thulkanamm [at] na.afro.who.int , Ph- 081-4230556