Amref, government join forces to strengthen HIV and TB services

DAR ES SALAAM: GOVERNMENT leaders, health stakeholders and international partners have called for stronger collaboration to sustain progress in the fight against HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in Dar es Salaam, following the transition of service implementation to Amref Health Africa–Tanzania.

The Afya Thabiti project is implementing the transition, funded by the United States Government through the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). Amref will support the Government of Tanzania in delivering HIV and TB prevention, testing, treatment and care services across the region.

Health sector stakeholders met in Dar es Salaam to formally recognise Amref as the new implementing partner and discuss strategies to maintain the quality and continuity of services.

Temeke District Commissioner Sixtus Mapunda, on behalf of Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, said the fight against HIV required a coordinated response involving government institutions, implementing partners, healthcare workers and local communities.

“The fight against HIV requires strong collaboration among the Government, implementing partners, healthcare workers and the community. As we continue with this phase of implementation in Dar es Salaam, we must safeguard the gains achieved and strengthen our collective efforts to ensure that individuals requiring prevention, testing, treatment and care services can access them with ease,” Mr Mapunda said.

Representing the US Government and the US CDC, the CDC Tanzania Associate Director of Programmes, Dr George Mgomella, said the transition offered an opportunity to build on existing progress and strengthen the sustainability of HIV services.

“The transition presents an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and build on the gains made in the HIV response. The US CDC remains committed to working with the Government and partners to support quality, sustainable HIV services for communities in Tanzania,” Dr Mgomella said.

A representative of the US Department of State also congratulated Amref on assuming responsibility for implementation in Dar es Salaam, highlighting the region’s importance to the wider HIV and TB response.

The representative said the US Government’s priority was to improve the health and well-being of Tanzanians, enabling them to participate fully in economic activities and contribute to national development.

Speaking on the objectives of the transition, Afya Thabiti Project Director at Amref Tanzania, Dr Edwin Kilimba, said the meeting brought together stakeholders, including private sector representatives, to agree on joint strategies for delivering services effectively and addressing stigma.

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Dr Kilimba urged communities to treat people living with HIV with dignity and called on those receiving treatment to adhere to their prescribed medication schedules.

“Those living with HIV are our fellow citizens with whom we live in our neighbourhoods and ride public buses. Let us stop stigma, and let those on medication ensure they do not miss following their treatment schedules,” he said.

He added that community support and continued engagement among stakeholders would be essential to ensuring that people could access services without discrimination and remain engaged in care.

The transition comes as Tanzania and its partners continue working towards the global 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those receiving treatment to achieve viral suppression.

Sustaining progress towards these targets will require continued coordination between the Government, Amref, the US CDC, healthcare providers and communities to maintain access to prevention, testing, treatment and care services and help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

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