The Government of Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the improvement of Knowledge Centres across the country, with special focus on those providing HIV and AIDS services to long-distance truck drivers.
The commitment has been expressed as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public health outreach systems and ensure that essential services reach people who spend long periods on the road and are often at higher risk of HIV infection due to the nature of their work.
The statement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Prime Minister’s Office – Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Jim Yonazi, early this week after conducting an inspection visit to Knowledge Centres located in Kurasini in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam, and Mdaula in Pwani Region.
The centres operate under the coordination of the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) and are designed to provide integrated HIV and AIDS education, counselling, and health services, particularly targeting mobile populations such as truck drivers engaged in long-distance transport.
Dr. Yonazi said the government, through TACAIDS, has a responsibility to ensure that HIV and AIDS services are accessible to all citizens, including those in high-mobility sectors.
He noted that Knowledge Centres play an important role in reaching truck drivers who often spend many days away from home and may face challenges in accessing timely health information and services.
He further explained that the government will continue strengthening the centres by improving service delivery infrastructure and increasing the number of health professionals working at the facilities.
These efforts, he said, aim to ensure that the centres provide high-quality services that meet the needs of their users.
The inspection covered both the Kurasini centre in Temeke District and the Mdaula centre in Pwani Region, where officials observed service delivery activities and interacted with staff responsible for providing HIV and AIDS-related education and testing services.
Dr. Yonazi emphasized that improving such centres is part of the broader national strategy to reduce new HIV infections and strengthen prevention efforts among vulnerable and mobile populations.
He noted that accessibility, convenience, and confidentiality remain key factors in encouraging more people to use the services.
Truck drivers benefiting from the services expressed appreciation for the government’s continued investment in the Knowledge Centres.
They said the facilities have made it easier for them to access HIV and AIDS education, testing, and counselling services without incurring costs or facing stigma.
They added that the centres have helped them better understand their health status and adopt safer practices while on the road, contributing to improved personal and public health outcomes.
The government has reiterated that it will continue working with stakeholders to expand and strengthen Knowledge Centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to combat HIV and AIDS and improve community health services nationwide.
