From Diagnosis to Dedication: A Peer Mother’s Life-Saving Journey

At the heart of Nindo Health Centre in Shinyanga is a dedicated team of healthcare workers and peer supporters working together to transform the lives of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers living with HIV. Among them is Tabitha Lucas, a Peer Mother whose compassion and commitment stand out. Alongside her colleagues, Tabitha plays a vital role in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and offering hope and support to mothers navigating similar journeys. Tabitha’s journey began four years ago when she was diagnosed with HIV during an antenatal care (ANC) visit at a dispensary in Kahama District. Although the news could have been devastating, timely counselling and support from healthcare providers allowed her to access antiretroviral therapy (ART). As a result, she remained healthy and successfully delivered her child free from HIV. This victory, made possible by the dedicated staff at Nindo Health Centre, inspired Tabitha to help others achieve similar outcomes. In 2022, Tabitha’s dedication was formally recognized when she was appointed as a Peer Mother at the health centre’s Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC), supported by the THPS Afya Hatua project. She underwent comprehensive training to equip her with the skills to provide peer education, follow-up, and psychosocial support to HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. “Having successfully prevented the transmission of HIV to my two children, I want to ensure that my fellow women living with HIV do not pass the virus to their children,” says Tabitha. Her daily work involves more than just education. She actively supports ART adherence by making phone call reminders and conducting home visits for those facing barriers, using a bicycle provided by the project. Between October 2023 and March 2025, among 1,710 women who attended ANC services at Nindo Health Centre, 61 had a known HIV-positive status, and 6 were newly diagnosed and immediately linked to PMTCT services. During the same period, 90 HIV-exposed infants were tested to determine possible transmission, with only one infant testing positive and promptly linked to care. Tabitha’s efforts are central to successful PMTCT, minimizing transmission rates to 1% at her clinic, compared to vertical transmission of 15-45% without any intervention. Tabitha’s impact is best illustrated through the story of Monica Samwel, an HIV-positive mother who delivered an HIV-negative baby in November 2023.

“Tabitha went above and beyond,” Monica says. “She constantly reminded me to take my medication, attend my refill appointments, and ensure my baby’s early diagnosis was done. Because of her, my baby tested HIV-negative at 18 months”, she said. Tabitha is living proof that when communities are empowered, they can become powerful agents of change. Her story highlights the success of the THPS Afya Hatua project in not only providing services but also building local champions who walk alongside their peers toward a healthier future.