Mildmay Uganda

Liz, a 22-year-old mother from Birra village in Mubende District, reflects on how her life could have taken a different turn without the intervention of Joyce, a Peer Mother from Makokoto Sub-County, supported by Mildmay Uganda.

In December 2018, Joyce visited Liz’s home, where she lived with her husband, who had three other wives. Despite Liz’s initial hesitation, Joyce’s persistent encouragement led her to consider an HIV test. Liz recalls, “I was hesitant about getting tested because I felt healthy and had no history of frequent illnesses. The idea of testing for HIV seemed unnecessary to me. I believed that my co-wives and I were faithful to our husband.”

With Joyce’s support and a referral form from Makokoto HCII, Liz eventually went to Bukuya HCIII, where she was shocked to find out she was HIV-positive. The revelation was devastating, and Liz suspected her husband might have been the source of the infection. “I was angry with my husband, but I was also expecting our child and couldn’t bring myself to leave my family,” she says.

Despite the distress, Liz received counseling and started antiretroviral therapy (ART) in January 2019, while she was three months pregnant. The support from Mildmay Uganda and CDC, which assists peer mothers in implementing community EMTCT (Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission) interventions, was crucial. This project aimed to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission in the Mubende region of Uganda by increasing access to HIV counseling, testing, and improving treatment adherence.

The initiative has been effective, with results from the Uganda Population HIV Impact Assessment showing a reduction in HIV prevalence in the Mubende Region from 7.4% in 2016 (UPHIA 2016) to 6.2% in 2020 (UPHIA 2020). Like many other women who have benefited from the program, Liz believes that this initiative should be expanded to help more women understand their HIV status. After giving birth to her healthy, HIV-negative child, Liz is committed to living positively. She has shared her status with her husband, who was aware of his own HIV-positive status and has encouraged her to continue her ART.

Liz now operates a small shop and supports her two children, determined to lead a normal life. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “Had it not been for the peer mother who insisted on the test, I could have unknowingly passed the virus to my baby. I am deeply grateful for their guidance and support, which transformed my life for the better.”

Mildmay’s Bold Impact: Donate to support one peer mother to reach many in their communities.

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