Govt steps up HIV/AIDS interventions
MWANZA: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening efforts to combat HIV/ AIDS by fostering a more supportive implementation environment and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders involved in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.
Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Jim Yonazi, made the commitment recently in Mwanza after visiting groups of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nyamagana District.
Dr Yonazi said the government continued to allocate resources for coordinating and implementing HIV/AIDS programmes while working with stakeholders to address challenges in the fight against the epidemic.
“Collaboration is very important because we believe it has the capacity to help us overcome challenges in the fight against HIV. On our part, we have continued to join forces in this struggle,” he said.
He said the Prime Minister’s Office would continue coordinating government interventions to ensure PLHIV received essential supplies and services on time and in line with required health standards and procedures.
ALSO READ: Govt eyes new levies to boost health, HIV/AIDS funds
Dr Yonazi also urged Tanzanians to undergo regular HIV testing to know their status and seek early treatment and professional advice if they test positive.
Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS),Mr Balandya Elikana, said the region had strengthened HIV prevention and treatment interventions in collaboration with health sector stakeholders and committees responsible for implementing prevention strategies.
He said the measures focused on expanding access to quality HIV prevention and treatment services while educating communities on ways to prevent new infections.
“The community continues to be sensitised on voluntary HIV testing and the proper use of preventive measures against HIV transmission,” he said.
Mwanza Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Kheri Kagya, said the region’s HIV prevalence stood at 4.7 per cent, slightly above the national rate of 4.4 per cent, according to the 2022/2023 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS).
He said the DHIS2 Annual Report for 2025/2026 estimated that Mwanza had 112,685 people living with HIV.
Dr Kagya said the region was working with stakeholders to promote HIV prevention, including the proper use of condoms.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, he said, Mwanza distributed 2,265,772 condoms in communities, particularly in guest houses, alcohol outlets, entertainment venues and other areas with large gatherings.
He said continued public education, testing, prevention and access to treatment remained essential to reducing new HIV infections and improving the wellbeing of people living with HIV.
