IPS reports on efforts to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission at public hospital in Cameroon

Aug 7 2012

"For nearly two years, not a single child with HIV has been born at the public hospital in the Cite-Verte district of Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon," Inter Press Service reports, adding, "Emilien Fouda, the hospital's director, says this proud record is the result of combined effort by his staff and community support groups." The news service discusses efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission at the hospital, highlighting a program run by a community group called the No Limit for Women Project (NOLFOWOP). "'The [program] includes awareness-raising, voluntary -- and confidential -- screening for HIV, testing for other sexually transmitted infections, and birthing practices that minimize the risk of HIV transmission,' Fouda told IPS," the news service writes. However, IPS notes, "Community support groups like NOLFOWOP are only present at some of the country's hospitals, and not all public health centers systematically test women giving birth for HIV" (Nzouankeu, 8/3).