Pediatric HIV Care: Every Child HIV-Free
Children remain disproportionately affected by HIV. Without treatment, half of HIV-positive infants die before their second birthday. Globally, only 57% of children living with HIV access lifesaving ART, compared to 77% of adults. In Zambia, maternal HIV prevalence is ~11%, and pediatric treatment coverage lags behind adults — with children in slums facing the greatest risks.
Yet we know that with the right care, the future changes. Without support, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates are 15–35%. With ART and appropriate follow-up, those rates drop below 5%.
At Power of Love, we believe no child should be defined by HIV. Our Every Child HIV-Free program addresses both sides of the pediatric challenge: preventing new infections and ensuring children already living with HIV survive and thrive.
Our program combines prevention and care in one family-centered model:
1. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)
- Automatic enrollment of HIV-positive expectant mothers.
- Counseling on ART adherence, safe delivery, and breastfeeding.
- Infant prophylaxis and two-point HIV testing (at birth and post-weaning).
- Since inception, 100% of babies born in our program have been HIV-free.
2. Care for Children Living with HIV
- Family Caregivers: Mothers and grandmothers trained in treatment, hygiene, nutrition, and recognizing early illness.
- Community Assistants: Local workers supervising ~100 patients, making home visits, and ensuring follow-up.
- Project Nurse: Provides monthly oversight, prescriptions, and clinic referrals.
- Integrated Household Support: Home visits also provide safe water, clean cookstoves, nutrition, and counseling.
1,200+ children cared for since 2004.
1,000+ caregivers trained in adherence, nutrition, and child care.
Near-zero transmission: Only 1 infection among 43 infants tested over a 10-year span.
>95% survival among HIV-positive children enrolled — with school attendance and graduation rates above Zambia’s national average.
Comprehensive care delivered for under $1 per child per day.
Our Circle of Care integrates pediatric HIV with broader household support: clean water, nutrition, clean cooking, and caregiver training. This ensures that children not only survive but thrive in supportive families.
Scale: Expand program to additional Lusaka slums.
Research: Publish outcomes in peer-reviewed journals.
Adolescent care: Add protocols for transition into adulthood.
Mental health: Expand psychosocial support for adolescents living with HIV.
Proven Outcomes: HIV-free births, survival >95%.
Economical: Care delivered for <$1/day.
Community Trust: Families welcome CHWs into their homes.
Integration: Each visit addresses multiple needs.
Our vision is simple but powerful: a generation where every child is HIV-free, and every child living with HIV has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.
