Samia issues directives to end HIV/AIDS

President Samia Suluhu Hassan

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has on Thursday directed authorities to ensure Tanzania attains its target to end the AIDS epidemic.

President Samia said that toward the goal of eliminating HIV and AIDS of reaching 2030, the country is committed to the vision of committed to the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths in Tanzania.

“We have accomplished a great deal in fighting HIV and AIDS but we still have a long way to go,” said President Samia during the commemoration of the World Aids Day in Lindi.

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She directed the authorities to put efforts on an effective strategy in preventing new infections as well as Strengthening HIV testing services and the use of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to prevent Aids deaths.

She also wanted relevant authorities to establish strategies that will eradicate discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV.

Equally, President Samia urged the Healthy Ministry, relevant authorities and stakeholders to put more energy on campaigns and education to stop new HIV infections.

“There is an infection among our youth aged 15 – 24, if we cannot prevent it now, our journey to end this disease will be very difficult,” said President Samia.

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Godwin Mollel said Tanzania expects to meet the national goal codenamed in the number 95-95-95 in the fight against AIDS virus by 2026.

The number, which carries the country’s HIV control goal by 2025, seeks to ensure that 95 per cent of the population living with the disease is actually aware of their status; 95 per cent of those testing are placed on HIV continuous treatment and the 95 per cent of those on treatment reach viral suppression status.

He said presently the country is estimated to have a total of 1.7 million people living with HIV and that as of now 1,530,000 PLHIV equal to 92.5 per cent have already been reached, 98.3 per cent have been granted medications and 97 per cent have been suppressed the viruses.

Earlier, United States Ambassador to Tanzania, Donald Wright said that although Tanzania has made significant progress towards achieving epidemic control there are still areas that needed to be addressed together to end HIV in Tanzania.

“20 years ago for example there were only thousand people on antiretroviral treatment in Tanzania, this means that HIV was a death sentence, today there are more than 1.5 million Tanzanians who are receiving this life saving treatment ,with proper care and treatment people living with HIV can now live healthy and fulfilling life,” he said.

On her part, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima praised Tanzania for being a champion in fighting HIV/AIDS in the last 12 years.

“The country has been able to reduce new infections by almost 50 per cent and to stop deaths by 50 per cent, which is remarkable progress,” she said.

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