Kibera Community Health Centre-Amref has achieved an extraordinary milestone — three consecutive years without recording a single case of mother-to-child (vertical) transmission of HIV. This remarkable success is a testament to the strength of community-based HIV programming and the collaborative efforts of NEPHAK and its partners in supporting Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services.
The achievement has been driven by a holistic and people-centred approach that ensures every HIV-positive mother receives continuous support — from identification and enrolment at Antenatal clinic (ANC), through postnatal follow-up (PNC), to the eventual graduation of HIV-exposed infants (HEIs) who test HIV-negative.
At the heart of this success are the Mentor Mothers, whose dedication and compassion have built vital bridges between the community and the health facility. These women not only offer guidance and peer support but also go the extra mile — sometimes delivering lifesaving ART medication directly to clients’ homes and conducting home visits to ensure no mother is left behind.
In addition, linkages to NEPHAK-affiliated paralegals have played a crucial role in addressing human rights violations that create barriers to accessing HIV services. By helping PMTCT mothers navigate stigma, discrimination, and other rights-related challenges, the program has strengthened community trust and improved retention in care.
This success story from Kibera stands as a shining example of how community empowerment, peer support, and human rights advocacy can work together to achieve lasting impact in the fight against HIV.
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