press releases

U.S. Embassy Funds Production of "Mwana Wanga" Video and Radio Production

Pamodzi Hotel
October 4, 2005

The United States Embassy, the Ministry of Health, and other partners on Tuesday October 4th launched “Mwana Wanga” or “My Child”, a thought provoking, three-part video production that focuses on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV during pregnancy, delivery and the postnatal period. This is a project funded through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), with additional funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). “Mwana Wanga” demonstrates how pregnant women receive Counseling and Testing (CT). Those who test positive for HIV receive counseling on how to reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to their babies during pregnancy, delivery and infant feeding.

The stories in this production also highlight strong elements of male involvement in PMTCT, as well as the role of the family in preventing new HIV infections. By depicting real situations and desirable behaviors, this program hopes to encourage more mothers, their partners and families to participate in PMTCT activities.

The first part focuses on a husband who discovers he has a sexually transmitted infection. He and his wife discuss the possible risks of being HIV positive and the future risk to their unborn child. After undergoing counseling and testing, the couple test negative and promise mutual fidelity.

The second part presents a young, HIV positive couple with one child and a second child due within a month. The husband, afraid of being stigmatized by the community because of his HIV status, refuses to allow his wife to attend the local antenatal clinic. Through support from both the health clinic and the wife’s parents, the wife is able to deliver safely in the clinic and receive the proper medication to help prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby.

The third part focuses on real life stories of HIV positive mothers who have taken the right steps to help prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies. They discuss the postnatal period, challenges they face, child feeding options and accessing treatment.

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The video has been produced in four languages: Nyanja, Bemba, Tonga and Lozi. It has also been adapted for radio in English as well as the seven official Zambian languages.

USAID/Zambia Mission Director Jim Bednar commended the initiative and underscored the importance of providing information to expectant mothers to protect their infants.

“By depicting reality and the desired modeled behavior through this program, we hope to encourage more mothers, their partners and families to engage in PMTCT.”

The video will be shown in antenatal waiting rooms of those clinics where PMTCT services are offered and on mobile video units, through local organizations, workplaces and other appropriate settings. The radio program will be aired on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and community radio stations.

The following organizations have contributed to the production of the videos: Ministry of Health, National AIDS Council, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Zambia Centre for Communication Programs, Health Communication Partnership Zambia and dB Studio.