Berthe Amélie Iroungou

What inspires you to work in the HIV field?

My motivation to work with children living with HIV stems from a deep commitment to addressing the critical gap in integrated postnatal care for mother-child pairs in settings where such support is lacking. In countries without comprehensive care systems, newborns exposed to HIV are often left vulnerable, without the continuity of care essential for their health and development. Witnessing the challenges these children face, I am driven to improve health outcomes by establishing a care pathway that supports not only the children, but also their mothers in the postnatal period. This involves promoting coordinated HIV treatment and regular follow up, and providing access to supportive services that empower families. My goal is to bring hope and healthier futures to these children and their families, ensuring that they are not forgotten and can thrive despite the limitations of the current healthcare system.

What are your goals as an IAS change maker?

My primary goal is to establish a mother-child care centre dedicated to supporting children and adolescents who are not clearly identified within HIV care pathways in my country. Additionally, I aim to strengthen the response to HIV by implementing PrEP and preventive tuberculosis treatment, which are currently not available, and, finally, to establish a comprehensive vaccination programme for people living with HIV in my country. Of course, achieving these goals will require funding, which we are actively seeking. Furthermore, we aim to implement a monitoring system for children exposed to HIV.