A public health officer from Marani Sub-County has challenged pregnant women to visit health centers so as to know their HIV status before giving birth.
Addressing journalists on Friday at Marani in Kitutu Chache North during a HIV stakeholders forum, Dr Thomas Oirere urged all expectant mothers to ensure they visit clinics and deliver in hospitals as one way of knowing their HIV status.
“We encourage all expectant mothers to visit hospitals during their pregnancies so that they can get to know their HIV status and get the necessary advice that they may require,” said Dr Oirere.
Dr Oirere said public hospitals offer free maternity services and thus expectant mothers should visit these hospitals and deliver in the hands of professional doctors who will take the necessary precautions to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV.
“There is no need of someone delivering at home without knowing her HIV status while maternity services are offered free in public hospitals as it was directed by the national government, ” said Dr Oirere.
The medic said there are several reports of expectant mothers having some complications that lead to death or transmission of HIV from mother to child that have been attributed to home births.
He also noted that most of the affected people fear seeking medical attention, a situation that worsens their condition and urged them to visit health centres so to receive proper medical attention.