ARV stock to sustain supply for months – Govt

DAR ES SALAAM: THE country has a substantial stock of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to provide free treatment to people living with HIV for the next five months, with the government ensuring continued availability thereafter.

The government’s statement comes as a new development following an earlier announcement over the weekend, which sought to allay public fears about a potential ARV shortage after the cessation of US Agency for International Development (USAID) operations and other aid entities.

There was growing public panic after US President Donald Trump announced plans to halt the operations of the USAID and other aid programmes-a move that directly impacts Tanzania as a beneficiary.

Shortly after his inauguration on January 20 this year, President Trump signed an executive order suspending the operations of aid agencies for 90 days to allow for a review and potential restructuring.

Speaking to Daily News over the weekend, Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa , assured the public that there is a sufficient reserve of ARVs and clear arrangements to maintain their provision to those in need.

“We have made preparations to ensure that those who rely on ARV continue to receive them. In case of any disruptions in the supply chain, the government will ensure continued free distribution,” Mr Msigwa told Daily News in an interview.

He noted that the current ARV stock is sufficient for the next five months. Earlier, the Ministry of Health released a statement on Saturday reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring continued access to ARV.

It urged people living with HIV to remain calm and adhere to their medication as prescribed by health professionals for effective treatment.

Analysts and academics have advised the Tanzanian government to explore alternative funding sources to sustain social and economic services previously supported by aid agencies.

They stressed the need for the government to prioritise self-reliance, emphasising that foreign aid is unpredictable and should not be a long-term solution. USAID has been instrumental in various sectors in Tanzania, including economic growth, health, education and democracy.

It has supported the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and promoted condom use, in addition to providing grants to help businesses grow and create jobs.

Renowned economist Dr Isaac Safari of Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) stated that the US decision to halt aid programmes in Africa, including Tanzania, is a wake-up call for African leaders to maximise their countries’ resources rather than depending on foreign donors.

“It is wrong to continue believing that the US will always be there to support us. Moving forward, we must use the experience gained from their support to finance development projects across sectors using our own resources,” Dr Safari told Daily News. He added, “The challenges we face today are within our power to resolve.

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We must generate our own funds for essential services like medicine by working hard and making the most of our resources.” Dr Safari expressed optimism that Africa’s problems can be addressed effectively if Africans maximise the use of their natural and financial resources.

Professor Humphrey Moshi, an economist and founding director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), advised developing countries like Tanzania to seek partnerships with other nations, such as China, while simultaneously working towards self-sufficiency.

He echoed the sentiment that true national development cannot rely solely on foreign aid. Former UN Executive Director for Habitat and former Minister for Lands, Professor Anna Tibaijuka, recently voiced concerns via her X (formerly twitter) account about the potential negative impact of halting the Global Fund and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) on Tanzania’s healthcare sector.

She called for urgent intervention to prevent a crisis. Prof Tibaijuka warned that suspending these aid programmes could severely disrupt ARV availability for people living with HIV.

According to data published by the US Embassy in Tanzania, PEPFAR has played a crucial role in reducing AIDS related deaths by almost 80 per cent since 2003 and lowering new infections by nearly 60 per cent.

The report highlights that when the programme began, fewer than 1,000 Tanzanians were on HIV treatment.

Today, more than 1.5 million people in the country are receiving life-saving treatment through PEPFAR. Since its launch in 2003 under President George W Bush, the US government has invested over 100 billion US dollars (approximately 254 tri/-) in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, including nearly 7 billion US dollars (about 18 tri/-) for Tanzania.

Prof Tibaijuka urged the African Union to convene a special summit to discuss the issue and formulate a collective response to the crisis.

She emphasised that a significant number of people living with HIV are in Africa, making it imperative for African leaders to unite in the fight against the disease.

“Let us protect ourselves. Efforts to end HIV must be renewed, as the availability of ARVs will become increasingly challenging in the future,” she said.

She added, “This issue has become an emergency, as many people living with HIV lack the financial means to afford ARVs for a lifetime.”

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Prof Tibaijuka also cautioned that the cost of purchasing ARVs is likely to rise, warning of a potential supply gap due to inadequate funding in least developed countries like Tanzania.

Speaking in the National Assembly last Tuesday, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS Chairperson Mr Elibariki Kingu raised concerns about the rising number of HIV cases among young people aged 15 to 24 years.

He called on the government to increase awareness campaigns targeting youth to prevent new infections.

Additionally, Mr Kingu urged the government to allocate sufficient funding for HIV prevention and treatment programmes to curb the spread of the disease.

One of President Trump’s first actions after returning to office was signing an executive order pausing nearly all international spending for 90 days while conducting a comprehensive review.

His administration has confirmed plans to merge USAID into the State Department in a major restructuring effort that would reduce its workforce and align spending with Trump’s policy priorities.

US Secretary of State Mr Marco Rubio confirmed on Monday that he is now the acting head of USAID amid growing public speculation about the future of the foreign aid organisation.

Speaking to reporters in El Salvador, Rubio stated that he is overseeing the agency, referring to himself as its acting director.

Established in 1961 under President John F Kennedy’s administration, USAID serves as the US government’s humanitarian arm.

It has been distributing billions of dollars annually worldwide to combat poverty, treat diseases and respond to famines and natural disasters.