Lydia Ekitela, a single mother who has been living with HIV since 2012 did not know it was possible for her to give birth to a child who is HIV negative.

“After separation with the father of my two children, I got into a romantic relationship one and a half years later with another man. As our love deepened, we became intimate without using protection,” Ekitela says.

Three months later, Ms Ekitela started experiencing unusual health issues. Alarmed, she decided to get tested for HIV.

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“The test results were devastating; I was diagnosed with HIV. I felt a mixture of shock, fear and regret. Two months later the man put the blame on me and insisted I was the one responsible," she states.

According to her while having the HIV test, she also found out that she was pregnant. Something that shocked her as she always believed a person living with HIV/ AIDS was barren.

Ms Ekitela says “The people I confided in advised me to get an abortion as they believed I could not manage my situation. But anytime I looked at my children, it gave me hope to carry the pregnancy.”

According to Ms Ekitela her daily courage came through the help of doctors in Bondeni maternity hospital where she went through her maternal care.

“I took every bit of advice from the doctors by not going a single day without taking ARV’s pills. Not only that. After giving birth to my daughter, I gave her the drugs prescribed by the doctor to prevent the transmission of the virus,” she narrates.

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Ms Ekitela highlights that the daughter was to take the syrup for one and a half years, something she was keen on.

Four years later, her four-year-old daughter is HIV negative and healthy.

COunty officials join community health workers for a dance during the launch of 100 days of Rapid Results Initiative to end AIDS at Bondeni maternity on October 17, 2023.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI/MTAA WANGU

She was speaking during the launch of 100 days of Rapid Results Initiative to end AIDS in children that was held at Bondeni Dispensary.

Recent data shows that the need for Prevention of mother to child transmission has increased from 2,142 in 2021 to 2,634 in 2022.

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How I managed to give birth to a HIV negative baby, while living with HIV/AIDS

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Winnie Kimani