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Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the cause of HIV infections in children under 15 years of age. An infected mother can transmit HIV to her child during pregnancy, during delivery, or during breastfeeding.

By integrating comprehensive programs for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) that include both prevention and treatment interventions as an essential aspect of maternal and child care, it is possible to significantly reduce the rate of children infected with HIV.

As part of implementation of the recommendations of UNAIDS and the Burundian government through its Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS (MSPLS), the results of Service Yezu Mwiza are satisfactory. Out of 209 children born to HIV-positive mothers under PMTCT, 208 are free of HIV after the 18-month test, a rate of 99.5%. This program is one of the strategies put in place to reach the goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 and thus achieve an HIV-free generation.

The person in charge of the Mobile Clinic at Service Yezu Mwiza, Dr. Gaston IRANKUNDA, indicates that this result is the fruit of the work in synergy of all the staff, he does not fail to express his satisfaction: "My joy is great when I see our vulnerable beneficiaries giving birth to healthy children despite their HIV status. This shows us that our efforts have not been in vain and gives us more motivation to become more involved in our quest to eliminate HIV".

A mother on PMTCT brought her 18-month-old child for an HIV test

Compassion is the most important value of Service Yezu Mwiza. It is this value that characterizes the entire team of this Jesuit work, as testified by one of the beneficiaries undergoing PMTCT: "In Burundi, there are other structures for HIV care, the big difference is the compassionate value that we find at this center. When we come to a health facility looking for health care services, the way we are welcomed and treated is important. At Service Yezu Mwiza, we are treated with dignity, I am happy to have given birth to five HIV-free children thanks to the PMTCT program. May God bless the entire SYM team".

UNAIDS recommends a three-pronged strategy to prevent HIV transmission to children:

• Primary prevention of HIV infection in expectant parents
• Prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV
• Prevention of HIV transmission from an HIV-infected woman to her child by administering antiretrovirals (ARVs) to infected pregnant women and their infants, using safe delivery techniques, and providing counseling and support for the adoption of safer infant feeding practices.