Stop the Spread of HIV from Mothers to Babies

*Michael’s* life changed forever when his girlfriend, *Sarah* (both names changed for privacy), tragically passed away during childbirth. As a young single father living on the outskirts of Kampala, Michael found himself overwhelmed with grief while trying to care for his newborn baby. Soon after the delivery, Sarah's medical records revealed that she had been living with HIV, a truth Michael never anticipated.
Filled with fear for his child’s future and unsure where to turn, Michael was encouraged by a community peer educator to seek care at Alive Medical Services (AMS). Despite his own shock and uncertainty, he brought his 9-month-old son to the clinic, where he began to learn about the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) program.
“During the first session I received from one of the health worker who welcomed me at the children’s section, I thought it was too late for my son’s health.” Michael shared.
Stepping into care and support at AMS, Michael was welcomed with compassion, care and dignity that went beyond medicine to include counselling, support groups, and education. Michael was informed about how the EMTCT program works, which included regular clinical checkups and monitoring. He followed the doctor's orders, as his son was late for the early infant diagnosis testing, and ensured he was mentally stable, given the rapid pace of the process.
Michael attended every scheduled visit, followed all medical advice, and kept in close touch with the Alive Medical Services team. Despite his initial fears, he found strength in the support of counsellors and other mothers during his appointment days. The clinic also provided psychosocial support, helping him through both his grief and the challenges of single parenthood.
Months later, after consistent EMTCT care, Michael’s son’s HIV status was confirmed negative at the final recommended test of 18months. The shock of losing his girlfriend was still with him, but the joy of seeing his baby healthy and HIV-free was a powerful source of hope and renewal.
Today, Michael continues to bring his son for wellness checks at AMS even after he was discharged from the EMTCT clinic. He speaks with his fellow men about the importance of knowing their partner’s HIV status while dating, open communication, and the comprehensive support systems that helped him raise a thriving child amid immense hardship.
“I thought I had lost everything,” Michael says. “But through Alive Medical Services, I found strength, I found knowledge, and most importantly, I found hope for my son’s future.”
Alive Medical Services has a strong record of reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission and supporting families through holistic care, medical, emotional, and social. The facility has maintained extremely low infant transmission rates among clients who remain in care.
Thanks to GlobalGiving, Alive Medical Services has been able to receive financial support so that people like Michael also benefit from all the services provided by the facility, including the Elimination of Mother to Children Transmission services.