There is a growing concern at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) maternity ward as expectant mothers are increasingly testing positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and drugs. Nurse Unit Manager of the Maternity Ward, Salote Tukana, has reported a notable rise in mothers being admitted with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
According to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, statistics from August revealed a significant uptick in HIV cases, with 552 new diagnoses reported from January to June 2024, compared to 415 cases in 2023 and 245 in 2022. Tukana expressed concern that the combination of pregnancy and NCDs compounds the challenges healthcare providers face, particularly when mothers with these conditions experience complications during delivery.
In terms of demographics for HIV cases, 73 percent of those diagnosed are under 39 years of age, with specific age brackets showing notable percentages. For example, 9 percent of new cases were found in the 15 to 19-year age group, while the 20 to 24 age group accounted for nearly 25 percent.
Tukana noted with concern the alarming trend of expectant mothers presenting with drug-related HIV cases. She expressed empathy towards these individuals, particularly among the iTaukei population, and urged young people to refrain from drug use, highlighting the additional struggles it can bring.
This increasing trend highlights a complex public health challenge that the Ministry of Health is striving to address through awareness and prevention efforts. The healthcare community is hoping that increased education and support can lead to healthier pregnancies and reduce the stigma surrounding these diseases.
In summary, the report underscores the dual challenge of rising HIV and NCD cases among expectant mothers at CWMH. While the statistics are alarming, they also present an opportunity for targeted health interventions and community support to improve maternal health outcomes moving forward. Encouragingly, there is a call to action for youth to lead healthier lives, which could potentially decrease these troubling trends in the future.
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