Ethiopian Mothers Join the Fight against HIV/AIDS

May 24, 2006
No. 14/06

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) - HIV transmission from mothers to their newborn infants accounted for approximately 253,000 new infections in Ethiopia in 2005.  According to recent statistics, 27 percent of pregnant women in Ethiopia visited a health center during their pregnancy, and only about 6 percent of pregnant women delivered their children in a health facility.

IntraHealth International, a program partner for the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health organized “Mothers2Mothers” community support groups to create awareness of antenatal care and HIV prevention services available to pregnant women.  The United States Government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, paid tribute to the mothers and families living with HIV/AIDS who are involved with this program for their commitment to promoting the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS throughout Ethiopia.

During a recognition ceremony on May 24 attended by hundreds of government representatives, public health providers and community organizations, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Janet M. Wilgus and Miss Ethiopia, Dina Fekadu, presented certificates to 105 mothers and 24 male partners, whose contributions have led to better health and greater awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services in the communities where these mothers and partners live.

“The numbers of mothers and family members who have benefited from these activities is impressive,” said Deputy Chief of Mission Janet Wilgus at the event. “It is so important to focus on women and their families.  Through this program, there has been a remarkable increase in access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services – through the advice and counsel of other mothers in their communities.”
 
The United States Government continues to support women, mothers and their infants living with HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  As of March 2006, approximately 42,718 pregnant women were provided with HIV prevention services, and 11,139 women are currently on antiretroviral therapy to support their long-term health. 

Since March 2005, IntraHealth International, a U.S. non-governmental organization, has supported more than 14,809 mothers in 81 public health centers, with plans in place to reach 267 health centers in Ethiopia, as well as to work with private clinics to improve both service quality and accessibility.  Funding for this program, which totals more than 2,600,000 USD (about 22,880,000 birr), is made possible by the support of the American people through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

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