Motherly Love Radiates Health Across Generations

Makatleho Molupe is a 37-year-old mother of three children: a 14-year-old, a 12-year-old, and a 5-month-old. She grew up in the mountainous district of Qacha’s Nek, Lesotho, near the South African border.

Makatleho Molupe with her daughter and husband. Makatleho’s daughter is HIV negative thanks to PMTCT services at her local hospital. Photo: Makopano Letsatsi/EGPAF 2023

In 2007, at the age of 21, Makatleho tested for HIV, and learned that she is living with HIV. Because she had a close relationship with her mother, Makatleho disclosed her status to her mom when she arrived home. “My mother was supportive when I was eventually enrolled on ART [antiretroviral treatment],” says Makatleho. “She would always encourage me to take my treatment daily and timely.”

Later, Makatleho married a man who is also living with HIV, and the couple was blessed with three children. Throughout her pregnancies, Makatleho followed prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) protocols.

“We both adhere to our treatment and all of our children are free from HIV despite our status,” she says. “As a mother, I will always adhere to my treatment in order to remain healthy and be able to take good care of my children until they reach their adulthood.”

Makatleho promised to give her children the motherly love that she received from her own mother and always be there for them in good and bad times—whenever they need her.

The first and foremost love is to protect my children from HIV. Makatleho Molupe

“The first and foremost love is to protect my children from HIV. I would like to thank the health care workers for their care and treatment and thank my husband for always supporting me throughout pregnancy and after birth.”

Sister Nthebaleng Shekoe, a Mother-Child Health nurse at Tebellong Hospital, holds Makatleho Molupe’s daughter. Through PMTCT services at Tebellong Hospital, Makatleho’s daughter is HIV negative. Photo: Makopano Letsatsi/EGPAF 2023

Sister Nthebaleng Shekoe—a Mother-Child Health nurse at Tebellong Hospital, where Makatleho receives services—applauds the dedication of women like Makatleho who test for HIV, keep on treatment, and follow PMTCT protocols.

“This year, Tebellong Hospital has not had a single HIV positive newborn,” says Sister Shekoe. “The goal of elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission is a reality.”

When pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers come to the Mother Child Health clinic in Lesotho, they are educated about the importance of knowing their HIV status and are invited to get tested. Health workers follow up with those who have declined—continuing to invite them to test. Those who are positive have their viral load monitored every three months, and those with high viral load are counseled about adhering to treatment and mother and baby are monitored monthly. Children born to mothers with high viral load are tested for HIV at birth and are treated with dual prophylaxis to account for their high risk of exposure to HIV.

Sister Shekoe indicated that mothers are always encouraged to breastfeed their babies to avoid malnutrition unless the family is unable to do so and are able to buy formula milk or supplementary feeding. If the family cannot afford to buy milk, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding and, in case of high viral load, the child is given dual prophylaxis to prevent transmission.