Restoring hope for Nothando and her child

Nothando Motsa (not her real) is a 21-year-old young woman from Manzamnyama St Philips. She delivered her baby girl at home on 25 June 2025 without ever having attended antenatal care (ANC). Fear and uncertainty kept her away from the clinic, as she admitted during her first interaction with Cabrini staff.

Her situation came to light when a concerned neighbor reported her case, prompting the Healthcare team to reach out. Nothando was invited to the Psychosocial Office, where she shared her story during a thorough assessment. With compassion and care, she was counselled and encouraged to undergo HIV testing. The results came back positive, and she was immediately initiated on ART.

A follow-up visit was then conducted for her one-month-old baby, who had been delivered home. The child was referred to Sithobela Rural Health Centre for further management, where a Point of Care HIV test confirmed that she too was HIV positive. The baby was initiated on ART without delay.

Through Cabrini’s intervention, both mother and child were given a second chance at life. Today, they are both adhering to their treatment and doing well. The child has begun immunization and continues to receive vaccines in line with the Eswatini EPI guidelines. At the same time, Nothando continues to receive psychosocial support and ongoing counselling to help her accept her HIV status and build resilience for the future.

Early identification, community reporting, and timely interventions were key for helping Nothando and her baby. Cabrini’s holistic support not only saved their lives but also restored hope for them, ensuring they can look forward to a healthier future together.