NACOPHA tells entrepreneurs to overcome funding cuts

MOROGORO: THE National Council of People Living with HIV in Tanzania (NACOPHA) has urged its members who are engaged in entrepreneurship to increase production, improve product quality and add value to their goods to achieve economic independence amid declining funding from development partners.

NACOPHA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Deogratius Rutatwa, made the call after receiving 700,000/- from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/ AIDS to support entrepreneurial groups in Morogoro Region.

Mr Rutatwa said members should use available resources creatively, develop clear business plans and explore alternative ways of sustaining their projects as external financial support declines.

He stressed the importance of producing quality goods that meet market demands, adding that innovation and improved business skills could help members to increase their earnings and become self-reliant.

“With the limited support we receive, we must be innovative in our projects. If we need more knowledge on how to add value to our products, we should organise ourselves and identify our needs so that they can be addressed,” he said.

He commended the management of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) for pledging to consider the groups’ needs and help them access education and practical skills to improve their products.

Mr Rutatwa said NACOPHA was also exploring opportunities through the Prime Minister’s Office and other institutions to strengthen entrepreneurship and improve incomes.

He urged members to take advantage of available opportunities rather than depending on external assistance.

“We must be innovative, prepared and committed so that we do not continue to depend on handouts, because we have the skills and knowledge,” he said.

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Committee member and Member of Parliament for Malindi Constituency, Muhsin Haji Ussi, said the contribution followed the legislators’ assessment of efforts by entrepreneurial groups to improve their economic circumstances.

The committee was led by ViceChairperson Dr Zeyana Abdallah Hamid. During their visit, the legislators inspected a laboratory building at Kingolwira Health Centre in Morogoro Municipality, constructed under the SATTF Project.

They also visited SUA to inspect Digital Vending Machines designed to improve access to condoms and strengthen HIV prevention among young people and surrounding communities.

The committee further observed income-generating activities by a group of people living with HIV and entrepreneurship projects targeting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

A member of a group of people living with HIV in Morogoro Municipality, Ms Rose Nicodem, thanked the legislators for purchasing products made by her group.

“One of the MPs bought a shirt and two pieces of batik fabric for 55,000/-. This has encouraged me and our group,” she said.

Meanwhile, a fruit seller from Kilakala Ward, Leila Hatibu and a cake maker from Kiwanja cha Ndege Ward, Mwanahamisi Juma said their businesses had improved their financial independence.

They added that earning their own income had reduced financial dependence and pressures that could expose them to risks of new HIV infections and sexually transmitted infections.