Our Campaign Save a Life

Dignitas International's PMTCT programming in Malawi, sub-Saharan Africa, includes improved services for HIV+ pregnant women, counselling and testing for HIV, administration of medications that reduce the risk of transmission, and support for safer birthing and infant feeding practices.

These services provide important opportunities to inform women and their partners of their HIV status, teach them how to prevent transmission of HIV, and help them to access the treatment and support services their families need.

Without PMTCT interventions, many children are infected with HIV at birth. Without treatment, many of these children will not live to see their second birthday. Even if they are able to access treatment, these children will need to be on ARVs for the rest of their lives.

The PMTCT program allow women to gain access to HIV/AIDS-related services each month, thus keeping them alive, improving their health, and enabling them to work to support their families and contribute to their communities. As a result, more and more infants born to HIV+ mothers are HIV-free and are able to live full and healthy lives.

2,000 pregnant women are currently accessing PMTCT services each month at 29 PMTCT sites in Zomba District, Malawi. More than 60,000 pregnant women have been tested since 2005.