The government has pledged to step up efforts to combat HIV as it seeks to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, with a particular focus on expanding access to services, strengthening community interventions and reducing reliance on external funding.
Deputy Secretary-General in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Jim Yonazi, said the government would continue improving HIV services while working closely with partners to accelerate prevention, testing, counselling, treatment and care.
Dr Yonazi made the remarks during a visit to Shinyanga Region, where he inspected groups of young people living with HIV and the Kahama Knowledge Centre in Kagongwa.
He said government efforts, supported by various stakeholders, had delivered progress, but warned that maintaining momentum would require stronger interventions at community level.
“The goal is to ensure citizens can access services close to where they live, while also receiving the education they need in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” Dr Yonazi said.
He commended Shinyanga for achieving the global 95-95-95 HIV targets, describing the milestone as an indication of progress in the country’s response to the epidemic.
The 95-95-95 targets seek to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 95 per cent of people on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Dr Yonazi said the government was also taking steps to strengthen domestic financing for the HIV response.
“The government has deliberately decided to increase its efforts. That is why it has established a funding mechanism, with 70 per cent of the funds going to the AIDS Fund to support various interventions and reduce dependence on external financing,” he said.
Despite progress in service delivery, Shinyanga continues to face a significant HIV burden.
Regional Commissioner Mbona Mahita said the region’s HIV prevalence stood at 5.6 per cent, above the national average of 4.4 per cent, according to the 2023 HIV prevalence survey.
He attributed part of the challenge to the high movement of people in the region, which serves as a major commercial centre for the Lake Zone.
“Shinyanga is a business hub for the Lake Zone. There is significant movement of people, with many entering and leaving the region. That is why we have taken HIV education down to the community level,” Mr Mahita said.
He said the government was expanding awareness efforts from households to wider communities to improve knowledge about HIV prevention and encourage people to use available services.
Shinyanga Regional Medical Officer Dr Honoratha Rutatinisibwa said the region had 374 health facilities, of which 120—equivalent to 32 per cent—provide treatment and care services for people living with HIV.
She also confirmed that the 2023 survey placed HIV prevalence in the region at 5.6 per cent, compared with the national rate of 4.4 per cent.
At the Kahama Knowledge Centre in Kagongwa, Kahama HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Coordinator Dr Herry Silvester said the facility was providing treatment and care services alongside targeted interventions for groups considered particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.
These include long-distance truck drivers, adolescent girls and young women.
Dr Silvester said the groups were being reached through HIV testing, education and counselling, helping improve access to information and services among populations that may face higher exposure to HIV.
The government’s renewed push comes as Tanzania works to consolidate gains made in the national HIV response while addressing areas where infection rates remain high.
With Shinyanga still recording prevalence above the national average, officials say stronger community education, wider access to testing and treatment, targeted services and sustainable domestic financing will be critical to keeping Tanzania on track towards the 2030 goal.
