The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated strategies to ensure virtual elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for society to be free from the menace.

Mr Emmanuel Obeng-Hinneh, Brong-Ahafo Regional HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) Co-ordinator, announced this at a day’s seminar organized by the Nkoranza South Municipal Health Directorate last Wednesday at Nkoranza, for about 50 health officials from the Municipality.

The seminar was to update the health professionals on the state of the two diseases in the region.

Mr. Obeng-Hinneh said as part of a strategic programme, pregnant women were registered and screened, and that those with HIV were put on medication throughout the period of their pregnancy and beyond.

He said this was to help the pregnant mothers to avoid transmitting the disease to their unborn babies.

He urged nurses to keep information about people living with HIV/AIDS confidential to maintain their professional trust while also protecting the rights and privacy of the affected persons.

Mr Charles Akwasi Gyamfi, Nkoranza Municipal Disease Control Officer said HIV/TB were related health challenges because people living with HIV “are at risk of contracting tuberculosis and vice-versa.”

He assured that TB was curable and advised people suspected of having contracted the disease not to keep it to themselves, but rather report it to any health facility for immediate attention and treatment.

The Nkoranza Municipal Director of Health Services, Madam Salamatu Ibrahim, urged midwives in the Municipality to make follow-up visits on HIV/TB clients to encourage them to take the full course of their medication.