A common thread that runs through the lives of many women living with HIV who have received prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services is the joy of having HIV free babies.
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) provides PMTCT services in Katsina state since 2004 with support from the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).
“Over the past seven years in Katsina State, more than 1,800 HIV-exposed infants whose mothers received PMTCT services have remained HIV-free,” says IHVN Katsina State Maternal, Child Health Lead, Mrs. Farida Salisu Maiadua.
Mrs. Maiadua says that pregnant women are regularly counselled to support adherence to their medications as prescribed.
“In our supported facilities, all women living with HIV of reproductive age are screened for pregnancy during every hospital visit. This is to rule out pregnancy as early as possible to start PMTCT. Their viral load is regularly monitored as stated in the National Guideline. Mentor mothers in health facilities constantly call and visit them to check on their health and follow-up on their hospital appointments. Before delivery of their babies, we ensure that the preventive medications are available and encourage them to come to the facility for an early infant diagnosis test within three days of delivery.”
Asides these steps, she adds that the Institute encourages early and exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and breastfeeding for 12 months.
Though from different backgrounds, ages and with different stories, women who have gone through PMTCT have smiles on their faces.
28-year-old Jemila A. is one of the women who have benefitted from these services. When she knew about her HIV positive status in 2021, she was single and afraid that she would not get married because of her status. She was however encouraged by the counselling she received at the hospital. Jemila did not just get HIV services in the hospital; she met her husband there!
The adherence counsellor linked them both and they interacted regularly at support group meetings. Their love story is still unfolding, and Jemila’s excitement is that she has a HIV free baby girl.
“I was counselled constantly about how to live healthy with my status and take medications at the right time. The mentor mothers were with me at the labour room. They’ve been guiding me on when to come for tests for the baby. My baby’s next test will be when she turns 9 months old. With the help I’ve received, I now encourage pregnant women who don’t like going to the hospital to do so. I’ve even escorted some to the hospital,” Jemila says.
Dalhatu E., a tailor, is another woman who has received PMTCT services.
“My baby is now six weeks. I feel so happy when I look at her. The staff in the hospital are friendly; they don’t stigmatize me so I’m always happy coming here. For nine years, I’ve been living with HIV. My husband also supports me though he is not HIV positive,” 40-year-old Dalhatu says.
Dalhatu’s baby is one of the 72 HIV free babies delivered in General Hospital Katsina between October 2024 and November 2025.
Nafisa B. also has a nine-month HIV free baby. Nafisa has lived with HIV for more than 11 years and is now an advocate to women to visit the hospital for a HIV test and regular checks especially during pregnancy.
“This is the 3rd baby that I have received PMTCT services for and she is HIV free,” Nafisa says with a smile.
Jemila, Dalhatu and Nafisa all receive support from mentor mothers who guide them through the process of HIV prevention during pregnancy, delivery and till their babies are about two years old.
IHVN Supported Mentor Mother Nuratu Sani says she is happy when she can assist her peers during pregnancy, antenatal care, delivery and care for the baby.
“Two of the women I supported named their children after me,” she said beaming with delight.
“I guide women living with HIV through all the required hospital tests and support them through receiving all the available services like adherence counselling, proper documentation, amongst others. I am friends with all the pregnant women living with HIV who come to this facility,” she explains.
IHVN Katsina State Manager, Dr. Felix Nwajiani says taking HIV services to the community to enhance prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services remains key.
“We work with health facilities to provide comprehensive HIV services including antenatal care and PMTCT services across all the 34 local government areas in Katsina State. Beyond providing these services in the facilities, our community PMTCT program which targets unconventional settings like the traditional birth attendants. Usually, traditional birth attendants in the state are not culturally known to conduct ANC. Therefore, to reach communities despite the insecurity in the state, IHVN is leveraging on the existing structure of roving midwives who are indigent and are professionally trained to conduct ANC and can penetrate the nooks and crannies of each LGA. They were supported with training and logistics to cover more communities and it is working awesomely,” he reveals.
Katsina State Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Focal Person, Mrs Zainab Sherrif Abdulkadir says that the State government is partnering with IHVN to sensitize communities about PMTCT.
“We tell them the importance of antenatal care, and HIV testing. The state government provides free test kits for pregnant women. The state also provides free antenatal care and delivery services for pregnant women. We have regular outreaches to the local governments with First Lady of Katsina State, Hajiya Zulaibat Dikko Umaru Radda to create awareness about PMTCT and give pregnant women free mama kits with delivery essentials. We like the work the mentor mothers are doing with women living with HIV for linkages and other services and believe this will be sustained. Free HIV babies in Katsina State are the goal and this is being achieved,” Mrs. Abdulkadir adds.
