A HIV advocate believes the recent death of a four-month-old baby from the virus at the Labasa Hospital could have been prevented.
Temo Sasau said the tragedy was preventable.
“We’ve had medicine to stop the transmission of the virus from mothers to babies for years,” he said.
Mr Sasau said families should stop hiding in silence and fear.
“The message we are sending out to the communities now is if you know you’re pregnant, or if you know your child is pregnant, please take them to the hospital and do the booking,” he said.
“Early booking is a must.”
While raising awareness on the virus, Mr Sasau said early medical care during pregnancy allows for early detection of HIV.
“How many more babies have to die before we speak honestly about this? The truth is simple, babies don’t have to die from this disease, not any more.
“I’m calling on all mothers, not only in the North but across the country, if we want to avoid this, antiretroviral drugs are available and the intervention can take place during pregnancy.”
Mr Sasau said the infant who died at Labasa Hospital last week tested positive for HIV after being admitted twice — first with pneumonia and then with severe complications.
It was only during the second admission that doctors decided to run a HIV test. By then, it was too late.
The baby’s mother initially denied knowing anything about the virus, but hospital records later revealed she had been diagnosed years ago and had been receiving treatment in secret.
