Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE is taking a significant step towards eliminating the transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B from mothers to their babies.
This comes at a time when a new universal Hepatitis B vaccine is set to be introduced.
The move is meant to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the virus and contribute to achieving World Health Organisation (WHO) validation for triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
The new measure was announced by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora while addressing the National Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) Validation Committee in Harare this Monday.
“Zimbabwe is yet to start implementing universal birth dose vaccination with monovalent Hepatitis B vaccine, given within the first 12 hours of birth. The introduction of the Hepatitis B Birth Dose vaccine is a priority for the country as this is a critical prevention intervention that will result in the attainment of the validation targets set out by WHO.
“It is heartening to note that the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) has opened a window for countries to apply for financing to procure the birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine,” he said.
Hepatitis B, a potentially life-threatening liver infection, can be passed from mother to child during birth.
The vaccine, administered within the first 12 hours of birth, offers nearly 100% protection against the virus.
According to statistics, nearly 1,2 million new Hepatitis B virus infections are reported in Sub-Saharan Africa annually, while an estimated 1,1 million deaths per year are associated with liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Since 2018, Zimbabwe’s National Validation Committee has been working towards eliminating HIV and Syphilis transmission from mother to child.
As of 2023, Hepatitis B was added to the target, to achieve the triple elimination of MTCT for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.
