The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has commenced a sensitization programme to encourage Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and their clientele  utilize the free HIV Testing Facilities and also embrace the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services available in the State.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Dr. Oluseyi Temowo,  advised that pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic should undergo HIV Testing while those who tested positive must avail themselves the opportunity provided by the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Services for appropriate medical attention.

Dr. Temowo said the sensitization programme, being held in collaboration with the Traditional Medicine Board, is to disseminate vital and accurate information through Traditional Birth Attendants to ensure that pregnant women who attend orthodox health facilities are aware of medical procedures available for HIV testing, universal precautions and procedures for the prevention of transmission from mother to child.

He emphasised the need for traditional birth attendants to insist that HIV positive women after childbirth must take their exposed babies to the ARV prophylaxis facility available in hospitals within 72hours for early infant diagnosis before attaining six weeks of life.

Temowo stated that in line with the global initiative of 90-90-90 with the view to eradicating HIV and AIDS by the year 2030, the State Government was committed to achieving the objective thereby requesting for the support of TBAs in increasing the uptake of PMTCT through advocacy and mobilization of their clients for the services.

He added that the program is also meant to support and promote the use of modern family planning methods especially condom-use, by working to achieve the 90-90-90 initiative of eradicating the scourge in Lagos State by the year 2030.