VP: Tanzania advances in HIV/AIDS fight

RUVUMA: TANZANIA is making significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with increased awareness, testing and the use of antiretroviral treatment (ART), according to Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango.

He shared these insights during the National World AIDS Day celebrations at Majimaji Stadium in Songea, Ruvuma Region yesterday.

Dr Mpango said that a recent survey revealed that 82.7 per cent of people aged 15 and above living with HIV are now aware of their HIV status, a 22 per cent increase from 61 per cent five years ago.

He also said that 97.9 per cent of those aware of their status have begun ART, compared to 94 per cent five years ago.

Furthermore, 94.3 per cent of individuals on ART have achieved viral suppression, up from 87 per cent five years ago.

“These results show significant progress toward our goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030,” Dr Mpango said.

He also referenced the 2022/2023 HIV/AIDS indicators survey, which revealed that new HIV infections among adults aged 15 and above stand at 60,000 per year.

The national HIV prevalence rate is 4.4 per cent, with 1.5 million people living with HIV. In mainland Tanzania, the prevalence rate is 4.5 per cent, while Zanzibar has a rate of 0.4 per cent.

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Dr Mpango emphasised the global HIV targets for 2025, known as the “95-95-95” goal, which aims for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to start treatment and 95 per cent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.

The Vice-President called on the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) to collaborate with sector ministries, stakeholders and the community to address the factors contributing to the spread of HIV.

He also commended the successful partnership between the government and various stakeholders, including the private sector, the Global Fund, PEPFAR (US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and UN agencies, for their ongoing support in implementing HIV/AIDS programmes in Tanzania.

Dr Mpango urged young people, particularly young girls, to protect themselves from new HIV infections, citing data that shows they are at a higher risk.

He encouraged the public to embrace education campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, abandoning harmful cultural practices and continuing to take precautions against HIV.

“The new infections are often driven by risky behaviours such as excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected sex, having multiple partners and drug abuse,” Dr Mpango said.

He also stressed the need to eliminate the stigma surrounding people living with HIV, as this hinders their access to services like voluntary testing, counselling and ART. Such stigma, he noted, leads to fear, preventing many from seeking the help they need.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa spoke about the government’s collaboration with stakeholders in continuing the third phase of the “TIMIZA MALENGO” project, which targets adolescent girls and young women in 42 local councils to help them economically and socially, reducing their vulnerability to HIV.

He also said that the government has come up with DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe) project, which aims to reduce HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in 14 local councils.

PM Majaliwa also addressed the country’s reliance on external funding for HIV-related activities and introduced the HIV Response Sustainability Roadmap.

This plan outlines national strategies to implement the HIV response using domestic resources, with ten key reforms that will be carried out through collaboration between government ministries, institutions, the private sector and NGOs.

The reforms are aimed at ensuring the sustainability of HIV initiatives and eliminating HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

Minister for Health Ms Jenista Mhagama said that her ministry will continue working to integrate the response to HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis, given their similar transmission routes. She emphasised the development of a comprehensive strategy to address these issues and strengthen the health of Tanzanians.

The Chairperson of the National Council of People Living with HIV, Ms Leticia Maurice, called for the elimination of stigma and drug abuse, which hinder the government’s efforts to fight the scourge.

She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening services tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups.

The 2024 World AIDS Day theme was “Choose the Right Path, End HIV,” encouraging everyone to actively participate in preventing new infections, supporting those affected and assisting orphans and children born with HIV.