Zambia – Harare – 30 November 2009 (Allafrica.com) - THE just-ended workshop for Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS will go a long way to ensure that maternity protection is used as a preventive and care strategy against mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

First Lady, Thandiwe Banda has expressed hope that the OAFLA, which closed yesterday after six days of deliberations, would be used as a protective, prevention care strategy against mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Mrs Banda called on the media to be more proactive when reporting on issues of maternity protection as a preventive and care strategy against mother to child transmission.

"As the fourth estate, you are an important component of national development, and I can only ask you to be even more proactive," she said.
Mrs Banda said the media had been a great partner during the build-up to the workshop and had continued to highlight the various activities.

"I urged the corporate world for complementing the efforts of the Government and non-governmental organisation and we thank them for coming to our rescue when we needed them most," she said.

"On the shortcomings that may have arisen, we seek your understanding as organising an important event like this is not easy."

Later in the day, Mrs Banda, Mrs Nompumelelo Zuma and Mrs Azeb Mesfin went on boat ride on Kafue River.

Online at : http://allafrica.com/stories/200911270031.html