Video: CDC Responds to HIV Tanzania
Since PEPFAR was launched in 2004 AIDS-related deaths in Tanzania have dropped dramatically from 120,000 per year to 86, 000 in 2009, and the number of new HIV infections has dropped from 130, 000 to 100, 00 during that same timeframe. CDC continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare along with local stakeholders to ensure that Tanzanians living with HIV receive the quality and comprehensive care and treatment services they need. The 360,000 individuals currently on ART, and the 800+ care and treatment clinics supported by CDC, are a testament to this commitment. Through this united effort, Tanzania is brought one step closer to achieving the common goal of an HIV-free generation.
Transcript
DR. MMARI: Prior to joining CDC, I worked with the Ministry of Health at District and Regional level in developing care and treatment programs in TB and HIV. My experience working with the CDC and the Ministry of Health, it has helped, actually, in developing the Country Operational Plan that was scientifically sound and incorporated the priority of the Tanzania government.
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In 2004, when the CDC received PEPFAR funding, together with the other USG agencies, we supported the government to initiate the first pilot site for ART program. Today there are over 600 sites supported by CDC and other PEPFAR agencies in Tanzania, which actually covers 20 out of 21 regions. Currently, PEPFAR is supporting over 255,000 patients on antiretroviral drugs. This is 58% of the patients in need of antiretroviral treatment in Tanzania. PEPFAR has impacted the lives of many Tanzanians, including a member of my own family. Before 2004, people were struggling on how to get treatment, how to get quality services on the ART. And some of the families, they were contributing some funds so that they can buy antiretroviral drugs.
But since PEPFAR started in 2004 and we have free ARVs and services,you see that many patients are living healthy. I am very proud for the work I have been doingtogether with my colleagues in Tanzania. We have managed to train 1,000 healthcare providers who are providing quality services in HIV/AIDS clinics. We have renovated a number of HIV clinics in Tanzania. Healthcare providers are working in a very good environment. And people living with HIV/AIDS, they're walking into these clinics, and we see them more and more coming to these clinics to receive services. We have managed to develop partnership framework together with the government of Tanzania which elaborates commitments from both government -- the USG government and the Tanzania government.
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