Protect the Unborn: Why Every Pregnant Mother Must Test for HIV.

To every mother, father, and family in PNG: This message is urgent. Your baby’s life may depend on one simple test. In PNG, we are losing babies to HIV. Not because we don’t have medicine. But because mothers are afraid to test during pregnancy. Here is how it works. If a mother has HIV and does not take treatment, there is a high chance the baby can get HIV. It can happen during pregnancy, during birth, or through breastfeeding. That sounds scary. But here is the hope Sir: *With treatment, that risk drops to less than 1%.* Less than 1%. That means 99 out of 100 babies can be born HIV-free if the mother gets care. The medicine is called ARVs. They are free in PNG. They are safe during pregnancy. They protect both mother and baby. So why are babies still being born with HIV? Reason 1: Fear A woman is afraid to test because she’s afraid of her husband’s reaction. She’s afraid the clinic will tell everyone. So she stays away. Reason 2: Stigma She heard stories of nurses shouting or other patients gossiping. So she decides to give birth at home instead. Reason 3: Lack of information Some families don’t know that treatment can protect the baby. They think HIV = death sentence. This has to stop. To all pregnant mothers: Please go to the clinic as soon as you know you are pregnant. Ask for an HIV test. It is part of good antenatal care. If you are positive, the nurses will start you on ARVs the same day. Take them every day. Go to all your check-ups. You can have a healthy baby and a healthy life. To all fathers and husbands: This is your job too. Support your wife. Go with her to the clinic. Don’t get angry. Don’t blame. Protect your child by protecting her. A real man stands with his family. To all health workers: Make the clinic a safe place. Smile. Keep privacy. Explain kindly. Remember, how you treat one mother will decide if 10 other women come to test. To churches and communities: Teach that protecting babies is God’s work. Stop the shame. Start the support. PNG, we cannot afford to lose another generation to a virus we can prevent. Testing during pregnancy is not about shame. It is about love. It is about giving your child the best start in life. Please. If you are pregnant or know someone who is, encourage them to test this week. Protect the unborn. Protect PNG’s future.