Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA Commission for Aids (TACAIDS) has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the AIDS response activities in Mtwara Region during the 2020/2021 financial year.
TACAIDS Executive Director, Dr Leonard Maboko revealed that when briefing on HIV/AIDS interventions implementation report for Mtwara region among others.
He said the interventions have been positive in Mtwara region being among the case study, hence, the commission is satisfied as it works towards ending new infections.
Dr Maboko commended the regional leadership for their commitment in preventing new HIV infections.
He said the projection to attain AIDS free Tanzania cannot be reached if there are no rigorous efforts from all stakeholders, among others regional authorities.
On her part, Mtwara region AIDS Coordinator, Ms Tabitha Kilangi noted that the prevalence rate has continued to drop from 4.1 per cent as per 2011/12 HIV indicators survey to 2.0 per cent in 2015/2016.
She added that, people living with HIV are aware of their health status by 82 per cent and the number of people using ARV treatment as of January this year has risen to 92 per cent.
Ms Tabitha also identified the methods used in the region, including encouraging voluntary testing, campaigning and advocacy, providing education through social media, public meetings, arts groups, brochures, magazines and posters, providing HIV and AIDS services at home.
Also providing care for vulnerable children such as school uniforms, school supplies and medical fees, providing education on the proper and sustainable use of condoms and identifying specific groups of sex workers and planning strategies to prevent new infections.
She further said that, the government is working closely with both external and internal stakeholders in the fight against HIV infection, where in the year 2020/2021, the region in collaboration with the council and various stakeholders contributed 254m/- for the implementation of HIV and AIDS interventions.
During the meeting, Mtwara Regional Administrative Secretary, Renatus Mongogwela stressed the need for collaborating with stakeholder to encourage proper and sustainable use of condoms, so that people can just be comfortable to buy and use them.
“Currently people feel embarrassed when they want to buy condoms, there is a need for raising society awareness about condom use so that they can seen it like other products which can be used not only to prevent HIV infections but also unwanted pregnancies.
