Hivi kwanini wanaume tunazidiwa kupima VVU na wanawake?

Viongozi wa TACAIDS walipokutana na wahariri ofisini kwao

Kwa mujibu wa TACAIDS, kupima UKIMWI ni mlango wa kwanza wa kufanya maamuzi sahihi ya kujikinga na maambukizo ya Virusi Vya UKIMWI (VVU) na kuanza kutumia dawa za kupunguza maambukizo kama mpimaji atagundulika keshaambukizwa.
Takwimu zifuatazo zinaonyesha wanawake na wanaume waliopima na kujua hali zao za Afya kwa kila mkoa. Hii ni kwa mujibu wa utafiti wa Taifa kuhusu UKIMWI na Malaria (THMIS) wa mwaka 2011/12

MKOA    WANAWAKE    WANAUME      
Arusha                64                     29      
Dar es Salaam    72                     55      
Dodoma              63                     42      
Geita                   50                     35      
Iringa                   69                     53      
Kagera                66                     44      
Katavi                  47                     42      
Kigoma                62                     53      
Kilimanjaro           64                     52      
Lindi                     74                     53      
Mara                     59                     50      
Morogoro              56                     36      
Manyara                56                     41      
Mbeya                   54                     42      
Mtwara                  71                     50      
Njombe                  74                     65      
Pemba                   55                     36      
Pwani                     72                     48      

Dk Raphael Kalinga, Mkurugenzi wa Sera na Mipango, TACAIDS

Ruvuma                  69                     51      
Shinyanga               61                    49      
Singida                    61                     51      
Tabora                     70                     52      
Tanga                      57                     48      
Unguja                     61                     52            
Takwimu hizo zinabainisha jinsi wanaume wasivyokuwa wajasiri kupima VVU katika kila mkoa. Hii maana yake nini?
Wataalamu wa masuala ya UKIMWI wanasema, mbali na unyanyapaa unaouzunguka ugonjwa huu, lakini pia wanaume wengi husubiria majibu ya wake zao wanapokuwa kliniki ya ujauzito. “Majibu ya mkewe yakitoka negative basi nae (mme) hujitapa na kujifariji kuwa naye yuko negative” aliwahi kuniambia mwanaharakati mmoja.
Mkuu wa kitengo cha Sera na Mipango katika Tume ya UKIMWI Nchini Dk Raphael Kalinga yeye huwa ana sera yake: UKIMWI Unaanza na Mimi. UKIMWI ni Janga langu Binafsi!
Kwa mujibu wa Dk Kalinga, hadi pale kila mtu bila kujali ameoa au ameolewa atakapotambua kuwa UKIMWI ni janga lake binafsi na kuchukua hatua za kujilinda yeye binafsi changamoto za kuukabili ugonjwa huo zitaendelea kuwepo.
"Hebu tufike mahali kila mmoja wetu atambue ugonjwa huu ni janga lake binafsi," akasema Dk Kalinga na kuongeza, tumwachie Rais ndie asema UKIMWI ni janga la kitaifa...Mkuu wa Mkoa aseme UKIMWI ni janga la Mkoa wake...Mkuu wa Wilaya naye aseme UKIMWI ni janga la wilaya yake...hivo hivo hadi ngazi ya famailia na hatimae mtu binafsi"
Dk Kalinga anasema, katika kufanikiwa katika juhudi za kutatua tatizo la UKIMWI nchini, kimakati inabidi ijengwe kutoka kwa mtu binafsi kwani suala la msingi katika mapambano ya UKIMWI ni kubadili tabia miongoni ma wana jamii.
Kwa mujibu wa Dk Kalinga, sera iliyopita ilijikita katika programe za UKIMWI lakini katika sera mpya iliyofanyiwa marekebisho inaweka msisitizo wa programu hizo kujenga kwa mtazamo wa kwamba inabidi zianze kwa mtu binafsi.

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Vita Dhidi ya UKIMWI nchini: TACAIDS yatoa hali halisi

Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa TACAIDS Dk.Fatma Mrisho (katikati) akisikiliza swali kutoka kwa mwandishi (hayupo pichani) wakati viongozi wa tume walipokutana na wahariri juzi ili kutoa hali halisi ya UKIMWI nchini

NCHI  wanachama wa Umoja wa Mataifa (UwM) (Tanzania ikiwemo) zilikutana jijini New York, Marekani tarehe 10 June 2011 na kukubaliana malengo makuu ya UKIMWI ambayo kila moja ya nchi zilizohudhuria zitajitahidi kuyafanya. Mkutano ulihudhuriwa na wakuu wa nchi 30 na kuhudhuriwa na washiriki 3,000. Ujumbe wa Tanzania uliongozwa na Mhe Gharib Bilal, Makamu wa Rais. Mapema wiki hii, Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa Tume ya UKIMWI Nchini (TACAIDS) Dk. Fatma Mrisho aliliongoza jopo la timu yake kukutana na wahariri wa habari nchini ili kuwapa hali halisi ya kampeni dhidi ya ugonjwa huo kama ilivyoagizwa katika mkutano wa Marekani, takribani miaka mitatu iliyopita.

Kupunguza  maambukizo ya UKIMWI yanayoambukizwa kwa njia ya kujamiiana.

Maambukizi yanapungua, ikiwemo maambukizi mapya, kupungua huku sio kukubwa kama ilivyotakiwa kuwa (7% 2003/04, 5.7% 201/08 na 5.3% 2011/12); miaka yote wanawake wana maambukizi zaidi ya wanaume, mijini maambukizi ni zaidi ya nje ya mji. Kwa miaka ya karibuni maambukizi kwa wanawake yameshuka kwa kiwango kidogo sana.

Kupunguza  maambukizi kwa watu wanaojidunga sindano za dawa za kulevya.

Wahariri wakimsikiliza kwa makini Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa TACAIDS juzi

Taarifa zilizopo ni chache, lakini hizi chache zinaonesha kuwa wanajidunga sindano za madawa ya kulevya wana maambukizo ya UKIMWI kwa kiwango cha 12.3% hadi 42% hiki ni kiwango kikubwa zaidi kuliko wastani wa Taifa ambao ni 5.3%. lengo ni kupunguza maambukizi haya kwa nusu ya kiwango cha 2010. Wanaume wanaojamiana na wanaume wenzao wana maambukizo ya UKIMWI  kiwango cha 51/%, na wanawake wanaouza ngono Dar es salaam maambukizo ya UKIMWI ni 42%, wanawake wanaotumia njia ya nyuma kujamiiana wana hatari hiyo  hiyo. 

Kutokomeza maambukizi ya UKIMWI kutoka kwa mama kwenda kwa mtoto 

Lengo ni kufikia kiwango cha chini ya 5% ya maambukizo ya UKIMWI kutoka kwa mama kwenda kwa  mtoto (kutoka kwenye kiwango cha 18%). Wanawake wengi (85%) wajawazito wanapimwa na wanaopatikana na maambukizo hupatiwa dawa za kinga kwa watoto pamoja na wao kutumia dawa kupunguza makali ya maambukizo ya UKIMWI. Kuna mafanikio yanaonekana kutoka wastani wa watoto 26,000 walioambukizwa 2009 kufikia 15,000 mwaka 2012. Huduma nyingi za Mama na mtoto (93%) zinaunganisha pia huduma hii ya kuzuia maambukizo kutoka kwa mama kenda kwa mtoto.

Sehemu ya wahariri wakisikiliza mawasilisho kutoka kwa viongozi wa tume

Kufikia lengo la kuwa na watu 1.5 million walianza na kuendelea kutumia dawa za kupunguza makali ya UKIMWI (ARV)

Kuna wastani wa watu 710,000 wanaishi na virusi vya UKIMWI ambao wamefikia kiwango cha kustahili kuanza kutumia ARVs. Idadi ya watu wanaofikiwa na kuanza kutumia ARV imekuwa inaongezeka kwa kasi, hasa kuanzia 2010; lengo ni kufikia  watu 700,000 ifikapo 2015, hadi 2012, tayari zaidi ya watu 663,911wamefikiwa. Wanawake ni wengi kuliko wanaume na pia imeokekana kwamab wanaume huchelea kuanza kutumia huduma za afya za UKIMWI. Ikiwemo kupima na piaa kuanza tiba. Serikali inazidi kuboresha ufikiwaji wa watoto ambao kwa sasa ni 25%, lengo ni kufikia 70% ifikapo 2017. 

Kupunguza vifo vitokanavyo na kufua kikuu (TB) kwenye watu waishio na virusi vya UKIMWI .

Lengo ni kupunguza nusu ya vifo kutikana na TB kwenye watu wanaoishi na virusi vya UKIMWI ifikapo 2015. Huduma za TB na UKIMWI zimeunganishwa kwenye zaidi 90% ya huduma za afya. Kwenye watu ambao UKIMWI umechanganyika na TB, nusu  yao huenda wakapoteza maishsa kama  hawatiiwi ipasavyo. Inakadiriwa kwamba karibu ya 26% ya watu wanaomaambukizi yote mawili kwa wakati mmoja wanapatiwa tiba stahili. 

Wahariri

Kupunguza mahitaji ya rasilimali fedha za UKIMWI.

Mahitaji ya fedha ni mengi, kwa mwaka 2011/12 kumekuwa na kupungua rasilimali fedha ka kiwango cha 9%. Kutoka 2006/07 hadi sasa mgao ka sekta ya UKIMWI kwa nchi nzima umepungua kutoka ka zaidi. Wahisani wanaendelea kuonesha nia ya kutoa msaada kwa sekta hii, Serikali ya Marekani ikiongoza na kufuatiwa na Mfuko Maaluumu a UKIMWI, Malaria na Kifua Kikuu, Umoja wa Mataifa, Serikali z Canada, Denmark. Wastani wa 30% ya Halmashauri zimeanza kutenga fedha za UKIMWI kutokana na makusanyo ya Halmashauri, Tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI inapendekeza kuwa lika Halmashauri ifanye hivyo ili ziweze kuhudumia yatima, wagonjwa w majumbani, kutoa huduma za kinga, kuboresha lishe kwa wahusika na kuwezesha wajane na yatima kuanzisha miradi ya kuongeza kipato na kupunguza utegemezi.

 
Kuondoa tofauti za kijinsia, uonevu na ukatili wa kijinsia, na kuongeza uwezo wa wanawake na watoto kujilinda na maambukizi wa UKIMWI.

38% ya wanaume wanaona ni sawa kwamba mume ana haki ya kumpiga mkewe kwenye mazingira Fulani. 61% ya wanawake  nchini waliachika /kutengana na mume/mwanamme wamewahi kupigwa, wanawake walioko kwenye ndoa 41% na hata ambao haawaajawahi kuwa kwenye ndoa 23% wameishapuigwa. Ngono ya kulazimishwa ni 20% yawnawake wa Tanzania wa umri wa miaka 15-49. Wengi wa wanawake hawa huwa wana hofu ya kwenda kwenye vyombo vya sheria, ijapokuwa sasa polisi wameanzisha dawati maalum la kutoa msaada stahili. Kuna haja ya elimu zaidi. Kwenye umri wa miaka ya 20-24, maabukizi kwa wanawake ni 4.4% ukilinganisha na wanaume ambao ni 1.7%

Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Fedha wa Tume akitoa ufafanuzi kuhusu masuala ya fedha

Kuondoa kabisa unyanyapaa na ubaguzi unaolenga watu waishio na virusi vya UKIMWI

Unyanyapaa na ubaguzi bado ni kikwazo kikubwa nchini. Inaathiri ukubali wa kupima, ukubali wa kumwambia mwanafamilia, rafiki au kazini. Inaathiri pia utayari wa kuanza na kuendelea na dawa (ARVs), ukubali wa kutunza yatima, kujitangaza hadharani na kujiunga kwenye harakati za utetezi wa haki za watu wanaoishi na VVU. Unyanyapaa na ubaguzi pia unasababisha kuvunja haki za msingi za watu waishio na VVU (mfano mirathi, ulezi wa yatima, kuajiriwa na kuendelea kufanya kazi, upangaji wa nyumba, n.k).

Kuboresha mifumo ya kutolea huduma za UKIMWI kwenye sekta ya afya

Kwa kiwango kikubwa hili limewezekana, 93% ya huduma za mama na mtoto pia zinapima UKIMWI. Vituo vya upimaji vimeongezeka maradufu kwenye miaka ya karibuni. Dawa za ARVs zenye ubora zinapatikana. Kuna upungufu wa raslimali watu ambao serikali inautambua na kuna jitihada kubwa za kujaza mapengo.

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Melbourne selected to host world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS 2014

Australia’s strong political, scientific and civil society commitment to ending the HIV epidemic both nationally and throughout the Asia Pacific region among reasons for selection of Melbourne as host for the XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014)

Melbourne, Australia has been chosen to host the XX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014), the largest international conference on HIV and AIDS, where every two years up to 25,000 participants, representing all stakeholders in the global response to HIV, meet to assess progress and identify future priorities. AIDS 2014 will be the twentieth in the series of International AIDS Conferences.

AIDS 2014 is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) in partnership with selected government, scientific and civil society partners from Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, as well as international partners from civil society and the United Nations. With a strong focus on Asia Pacific, one of the two local scientific, community and leadership partners will be chosen from the wider Asia and Pacific regions and one each from Australia.

“The IAS is extremely pleased to partner with the City of Melbourne, the State Government of Victoria, the Federal Government of Australia and with various scientific and community leaders from the host country as well as from Asia and the Pacific with a long and impressive history of leadership on HIV,” said IAS President-elect and Nobel Laureate Prof. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Director of the Regulation of Retroviral Infections Unit at the Institute Pasteur in Paris and International Conference Chair for AIDS 2014.

“As the region with the largest geographic area and population, dramatically varying levels of wealth, and a complex mix of structural and behavioural determinants of risk, experts from the region have a unique perspective on the epidemic. Hosting AIDS 2014 in Melbourne will make it possible for these experts to attend the conference and share their successes and challenges on a global level,” added Prof. Barré-Sinoussi.

Prof. Sharon Lewin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Alfred Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Monash University and co-head, Centre for Virology at the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, has been named Local Co-chair of AIDS 2014. Lewin is a former President of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM), the peak Australasian organization representing the medical and health sector in HIV, viral hepatitis and related areas.

“The Australian health policy response to HIV has been characterized as emerging from the grassroots rather than top-down, with a high degree of partnership between scientists, government and community. AIDS 2014 will be a great opportunity to share the benefits of such partnerships with other countries,” said Prof. Sharon Lewin.

“The Australian government also has a strong international development strategy for HIV, with particular focus on Papua New Guinea (PNG), East and South Asia and the Pacific Islands. As well as focusing international attention on Australia’s national response, the conference will highlight the diverse HIV epidemic patterns and responses in the Asia Pacific region and has the potential to positively impact the HIV responses throughout the whole region,” added Prof. Lewin.

AIDS 2014 will be held in July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Melbourne has a long history in staging successful major events and conferences, is constantly adding to its infrastructure and has an established reputation as one of the world's leading business events destinations.

“We are excited about welcoming the world’s top HIV scientists and policy experts to Melbourne,” said Karen Bolinger, CEO of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB). “This is the largest medical conference ever to be held in Australia and is a testament to the country’s deserved reputation as a leader in HIV/AIDS research. Hosting AIDS 2014 in Melbourne will not only have a positive health and social impact on the state of Victoria, but is also expected to generate approximately US$84 million for the Victorian state economy.”

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in 2009 an estimated 4.9 million people in Asia were living with HIV, including 360,000 who became newly infected that year. The overall trends in this region hide important variation in the epidemics, both between and within countries. Most national HIV epidemics appear to have stabilized and no country in the region has a generalized epidemic. However, in many countries in the region, the epidemic is concentrated in a relatively small number of provinces. Injecting drug users, men who have sex with men and sex workers and their clients have accounted for most of the new infections, and ongoing transmission to the female partners of drug users and the clients of sex workers is becoming apparent.

The HIV epidemic in the Pacific region is small, but the number of people living with HIV in this region nearly doubled between 2001 and 2009—from 28,000 to 57,000. However, the number of people newly infected with HIV has begun to decline from 4,700 in 2001 to 4,500 in 2009. The HIV epidemics in this region are mainly driven by sexual transmission.

In July 2012, the International AIDS Conference will be held in Washington, D.C, and the previous International AIDS Conference was held in Vienna, Austria in 2010. With more than 2,500 international journalists expected to attend the conference next year, it is the single most widely covered health event in the world.

Melbourne was selected to host AIDS 2014 following an evaluation of candidate cities by the IAS in consultation with its international partners. Candidate cities were evaluated by the IAS Governing Council according to three criteria: impact on the epidemic, sufficient infrastructure, and freedom of movement and travel for people living with HIV and AIDS. According to a policy of non-discrimination first adopted by the IAS Governing Council in 1992, the Society will not hold its conferences in countries that restrict short term entry of people living with HIV and AIDS, and/or require prospective HIV-positive visitors to declare their HIV status on visa application forms or other documentation required for entry into the country.

AIDS 2014 Organizers

Convened by
International AIDS Society (IAS)

International Partners

    UNAIDS, including its co-sponsors
    International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW)
    International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO)
    Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)
    Sidaction

Local/Regional Partners from Australia and Asia Pacific - will be appointed in 2012

About the IAS

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals, with over 16,000 members from more than 196 countries working at all levels of the global response to AIDS. Our members include researchers from all disciplines, clinicians, public health and community practitioners on the frontlines of the epidemic, as well as policy and programme planners. The IAS is the custodian of the biennial International AIDS Conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in July 2012, and lead organizer of the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention.

For general enquiries:
Email: info@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0800

For more information:
Sian Bowen (Geneva, Switzerland)
Senior Manager, Communications
Email: Sian.Bowen@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0864

Lindsey Rodger (Geneva, Switzerland)
Communications and Media Officer
Email: Lindsey.Rodger@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0822  

• SOURCE: www.iasociety.org | www.aids2012.org

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Ufafanuzi kuhusu wafadhili kujitoa kufadhili shughuli za UKIMWI Tanzania

Dk. Mrisho (aliyeketi) akibadilishana mawazo na akina mama walio katika mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI na VVU huko Kisarawe hivi karibuni

Tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI (TACAIDS) – Tanzania imepata taarifa kutoka kwenye vyombo  vya habari kwamba wahisani wa shughuli za UKIMWI kujitoa kufadhili shughuli za UKIMWI kuanzia mwaka kesho 2014.
 

Maafisa wa Tume

Sehemu ya wanafunzi wa Minaki High School ambao wamejipanga kupambana na maambukizi ya VVU wakiwa shuleni kwao

TACAIDS, inafafanua kwamba tetesi hizo sio za kweli hata hivyo baadhi ya Wahisani ambao wanajitoa kwenye ufadhili kutokana na miradi wanayoifadhili kuisha muda wake au kubadilika vipaumbele kwa mfano Serikali ya Kanada na Denmark ambao wamekuwa  wakisaidia Programu za UKIMWI kwenye Mamlaka za Serikali za Mitaa na Jamii ambapo mradi wao unaisha 2016/17. Hata hivyo Serikali ya Denmark bado ina nia ya  kuendelea kusaidia shughuli za UKIMWI, baada ya Mradi  huo kuisha.

Utekelezaji wa shughuli za UKIMWI Tanzania umekuwa ukipata ufadhili wa fedha kutoka Serikali ya Tanzania na Serikali za Nchi Marafiki. Programu zinazotekelezwa hufuata Mkakati wa Taifa wa Kudhibiti UKIMWI (NMSF).Mpaka sasa kuna uhakika wa fedha za UKIMWI kwa miaka mitano (5) ijayo.

Serikali za nchi Marafiki wamekuwa wakisaidia shughuli za UKIMWI kwa mtindo wa Miradi (Projects) ambayo ni ya muda mfupi kama vile miaka mitatu (3) mpaka mitano (5).  Kwa kawaida miradi huisha na mingine huanza kila mwaka. 

Kwa sasa hivi miradi mingi inatekelezwa kwa kipindi cha Maisha ya Mkakati wa nchi wa UKIMWI ambao unaisha mwaka wa fedha 2017/18.  Wahisani wakubwa wa shughuli za UKIMWI ni Serikali ya Marekani na Mfuko wa Dunia wa Magonjwa ya UKIMWI, Kifua kikuu na Malaria. 

Wahisani hawa wawili wanatoa kiasi cha 80% ya fedha za UKIMWI nchini na ndio wanaofadhili Programu ya Tiba ya UKIMWI nchini na Programu zao bado zinaendelea na hawajatangaza kujitoa.

Baada ya Miaka 30 ya shughuli za UKIMWI, Tanzania sasa hivi inafahamu maambukizi ya VVU makubwa yanapatikana katika maeneo gani ya Jamii.  Mfano; Makundi ya Wanandoa, Wauza ngono, Wanaofanya ngono ya jinsia moja, Wanaotumia dawa za kulevya na Maambukizi kutoka kwa Mama kwenda kwa Mtoto. 

Hivyo mikakati mingi sasa hivi inaelekezwa katika maeneo hayo ikiwamo kuongeza Tiba kwa WAVIU ambao wanapata tiba vizuri inakuwa ni kinga kubwa hata kwa wenzi wao.

Serikali ya Tanzania baada ya kupata uzoefu wa miaka yote hii inaelekeza nguvu kwenye maeneo ambayo yataleta matokeo makubwa na mazuri zaidi ili kufanikisha haya, Serikali iko katika hatua za mwisho za kuanzisha Mfuko wa UKIMWI Tanzania (AIDS TRUST FUND).  Mfuko ambao utachangiwa na Serikali, Wadau wengine nchini pamoja na Wadau wa Maendeleo. 

Mfuko huu unakadiriwa kupunguza utegemezi wa Wahisani kwa 50%. Mfuko huu unategemewa kuanza Mwaka wa Fedha 2014/2015.


Imetolewa na:     

            Mwenyekiti Mtendaji
            Tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI Tanzania(TACAIDS)
            Sokoine Drive/Luthuli Street,
            P. O. Box 76987
            Dar es Salaam.
            Tel: +255 22 2122651/2122427,
            Fax: +255 22 2125651,
            Email: ec@tacaids.go.tz
            Website: www.tacaids.go.tz

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AIDS fight in Tanzania under siege as donors pull out

Dr Mrisho in a group photo with the Kisarawe Community in the fight against HIV and AIDS

Minaki High School students when hosted TACAIDS officials last week

TANZANIA is likely to experience a serious retardation motion in the fight against HIV and AIDS should a vividly pull out of long time donors in the war against the pandemic not get prompt local-based replacement.
The warning was sounded over the weekend by the Executive Chairperson of the Tanzania Commision for AIDS (TACAIDS) Dr Fatma Mrisho when she paid a courtesy call to the Pwani Regional Commissioner, Ms Mwantumu Mahiza.
Dr Mrisho revealed, “ As we are talking now, I have just met the representatives from CIDA and DANIDA—both of whom have confirmed to me that they will no longer contribute to the National Multi-sectroral Strategic Framework (NMSF)—coming the year 2015,”
This translates into that, we as nation; need to get a prompt replacement of the funding, failure of which, all the achievements we recorded in the fight against HIV and AIDS for more than 20 years will experience a heavy blow, remarked Dr Mrisho
The Danish and Canadian Governments through their international support funds, DANIDA and CIDA respectively, make a group of other bilateral donors who have been contributing tirelessly to the NMSF for many years.
Speaking at Kibaha Township, Dr Mrisho called on all the District councils to start mobilizing own funds to address the looming threat of donors pull out
She said, while TACAIDS and other local players were currently working hard to see to it that the long awaited AIDS Trust Fund (ATF) become operational, local councils should start raising funds from their own sources to attend to the already established HIV/AIDS related interventions
The NMSF is the strategy designed by the government through TACAIDS for addressing HIV and AIDS interventions in the regional councils all-over the country.
Some of the interventions are the provision of life prolonging drugs for people living with HIV (ARVs), care and support for people affected or affected by HIV, home-based care for HIV positive people and care of HIV-orphaned kids.
Likewise, another key donor—the US President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—which has been at a fore hand to support anti-AIDS interventions in the country is slowly reducing its support. According to PEPFAR, AIDS is no longer an emergency case; hence, local efforts can easily handle the issue in sustaining the already established infrastructures.
According to TACAIDS Consolidated Budget Recurrent & Development- 2010/2013, Tanzania received a total of about 575 million USD per year for HIV and AIDS national programme.
Funds received in the country were contributed as follows: donor support 98% and Government 2 % of the national programme. 5% contribution by Government includes donors who supports through General Budget Support.
The Government captures funds for HIV and AIDS according to the modality of funding, as most of the funds by donors are coming into the country through direct project implementation only 28% of the funds are captured in the Government books.
The major supporters of HIV and AIDS National response are the US Government (PEPFAR) 72%, and the Global Fund 20%, NMSF Grant from CIDA and DANIDA 4%, and the UN Family 2%

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Bagamoyo yaanza kujifadhili vita dhidi ya UKIMWI,VVU

Bi Albina, CHAC wa Bagamoyo akitoa taarifa ya hali ya UKIMWI wilayani humo kwa wajumbe wa TACAIDS waliotembelea Mkoa wa Pwani juzi

Kamishna wa TACAIDS Dk.Rose Mwaipopo akitoa majumuisho ya ziara ya tume Wilayani Bagamoyo. Katikati ni Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Bagamoyo Bw. Erasto Mfugale na kulia kabisa ni RCT wa Pwani Dk.Ameir

Wana-kikundi cha UWAMABA--kikundi cha watu waishio na VVU wilayani Bagamoyo na moja ya vikundi vilivyofanikiwa katika kampeni dhidi ya UKIMWI--wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja na ujumbe wa TACAIDS

HUKU ufadhili katika masuala ya huduma za UKIMWI nchini ukielekea ukingoni, Halmashauri ya Bagamoyo sasa imetangaza kutenga shilingi milioni 25 kuanzia msimu wa 2013-2014 kwa ajili ya kuendeleza mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI na virusi vya UKIMWI (VVU) wilayani hapo.

Hayo yamebainishwa juzi na Mratibu wa UKIMWI-Pwani (CHAC) Bi Albina Mtumbuka alipokutana na ujumbe wa tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI nchini (TACAIDS) uliotembelea ofisini kwake katika ziara iliyolenga kujua hali ya UKIMWI na vichocheo vyake katika mkoa wa PWANI.

Ujumbe wa TACAIDS uliongozwa na Kamshna wa Tume hiyo Dr Rose Mwaipopo.

“Tumeamua kutenga kiasi hicho (shilling mil.25) kuanzia mwaka huu wa fedha ili kuepusha balaa linaloweza kutokea kutokana na kujitoa kwa wafadhili ambao wamekuwa wakitusaidia tangu tulipoanza vita dhidi ya UKIMWI,:” akasema Bi Mtumbuka

Bagamoyo ni miongoni mwa wilaya zilizo athirika na maambukizi ya VVU nchini.  Kwa mujibu wa matokeo muhimu ya utafiti wa viashiria vya VVU-UKIMWI na Malaria (THMIS 2011-2012), maambukizi ya VVU yalikuwa yamefikia asilimia 6.9

Kwa mujibu wa Bi Mtumbuka, endapo wilaya haitachukua hatua madhubuti, ni wazi kuwa mafanikio yaliyokuwa yamefikiwa katika kutoa huduma mbalimbali za vita dhidi ya UKIMWI yatakuwa hatarini.

“Hatuna jinsi, kujitoa kwa wafadhili wetu kuwe changamoto kwetu ya kujua namna ya kuendeleza mapambano haya, “ akaongeza Bi Mtumbuka.

Taarifa zilizomfikia mwandishi wetu ni kwamba wafadhili ambao wamekuwa wakitoa pesa kwa ajili ya mfuko wa mwitikio wa UKIMWI katika wilaya zote nchini kupitia TACAIDS (NMSF) wametangaza kusitisha ufadhili wao kuanzia mwaka kesho (2014).

Baadhi ya wafadhili hao ni kutoka mataifa ya Canada (CIDA) na Denmark (DANIDA). “Hali itakuwa ngumu katika halmshauri zetu mara jamaa watakapojiondoa rasmi mwaka kesho—hatutakuwa na jinsi zaidi ya kila wilaya kuanza kujichangisha ili mafaniko tuliyoyafikia dhidi ya UKIMWI yasiwe kazi bure, kilisema chanzo chetu.

Kama hakutakuwa na hatua madhubuti za kila wilaya kutafuta vyanzo vingine vya fedha za kukabiliana na UKIMWI, huduma kama vile matibabu kwa wanaoishi na VVU (ARVs), huduma za UKIMWI majumbani, upimaji wa VVU na huduma kwa watoto yatima vyote vitakuwa katika hatari ya kusambaratika, akabainisha Bi Mtumbuka wakati wa majumuisho yake

Katika miezi ya hivi karibuni, TACAIDS na wadau wengine wake wamekua wakihaha kuharakisha uundwaji wa mfuko wa UKIMWI nchini (AIDS Trust Fund). Tume inaamini kuwe uundwaji wa mfuko huo utasitisha utegemezi wa wafadhili katika masuala ya UKIMWI.

“Ni kweli kabisa, kama mfuko huo utapitishwe na bunge, ni dhahiri tutakuwa katika mazingira mazuri kuendeleza kampeni zetu. Hatutakuwa na haja ya kubabaika kama ilivyo sasa,:” alisema Dk. Hafidhy Ameir, Mratibu wa TACAIDS mkoani Pwani

Kuhusu hali ya maambukizi ya VVU Bagamoyo, takwimu za watu waliojitokeza kupima kwa hiari zinaonesha kuwa kuanzia Januari hadi Desemba 2012 jumla ya watu 19,126 walishauriwa na kupima VVU. Kati ya hao wanaume ni 5,804 na wanawake ni 13,322.

Ukiwa ni mmoja wa miji mikongwe na ya kitalii nchini, Bagamoyo imeathirika zaidi na maambukizi ya VVU kutokana na kuwa na watu wengi wenye tabia na kutoka maeneo tofauti hali inayopelekea kuwa na miingiliano holela ya wa ki-ngono zembe.

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PWANI yataka takwimu sahihi za UKIMWI huku ikionya wapika takwimu

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Pwani Bi Mahiza akiongea na ujumbe wa TACAIDS pamoja na watendaji wake kuhusu masuala ya UKIMWI na VVU

Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa TACAIDS Dk.Fatma Mrisho akimsikiliza kwa makini mkuu wa Mkoa wakati wa
ziara ya tume mkoani Pwani wiki iliyopita

Wajumbe wa TACAIDS wakiagwa na Kaimu Mganga wa Mkoa Dk.Beatrice Byalugaba

MKUU wa mkoa wa PWANI Bi Mwantuma Mahiza ameitaka Tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI nchini (TACAIDS) kwa kushirikiana na Shirika la Takwimu la taifa (NBS) vifanye hima ili kupata takwimu sahihi za maambukizi ya VVU ili kuusadia mkoa kuweka vipaumbele sahihi katika mapambano dhidi ya ugonjwa huo
“Ni kweli ugonjwa huu unaendelea kuwa tishio mkoani kwetu, lakini tunachanganyikiwa namna ya kuweka vipaumbele kwa kukosa usahihi wa takwimu za maambukizi ya VVU,” Bi Mahiza aliuambia ujumbe wa TACAIDS uliotembelea ofisini kwake juzi ukiongozwa na mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa tume Dk.Fatma Mrisho
Bi Mahiza akaendelea: Hebu shirikianeni na NBS ili mpate takwimu sahihi za UKIMWI mkoani kwetu…maana siku hizi tunabahatisha.
Hata hivyo, hivi karibuni, Rais Jakaya Kikwete amezindua ripoti mpya ya matokeo muhimu ya utafiti wa viashiria vya VVU/UKIMWI na malaria nchini. Utafiti huo ulifanyika kati ya mwaka 2011 na 2012 (THMIS).
Kwa mujibu wa Bi Mahiza, kuna  wajanja wengi wenye asasi zisizo za kiserikali (NGOs) ambao  wanatumia uwepo wa barabara kuu ya Morogoro na vituo vya mizani kuupakazia mkoa wetu kuwa eti maambukizi yanatisha kuliko uhalisia wenyewe. Wanafanya hivyo ili kujipatia hela na misaada kutoka kwa wafadhili wa nje wasiojua ukweli wa mambo na uhalisia wenyewe.
Kwa mfano, Bi Mahiza akaongeza, hivi majuzi tu, kuna kijana wa NGO moja mkoani hapa (siitaji jina), alitoa takwimu eti mkoani Pwani kila siku watu 100 huambukizwa VVU. Haa?! nilishangaa sana. Kwa kuwa na mimi nilikuwa mshiriki katika mkutano huo, nilisimama na kumpinga pale pale.
Huo ni uongo usio kuwa na mfano. Kama  ni kweli, si mkoa mzima wenye watu wasiozidi milioni 1 na laki mbili utakuwa umeambukizwa kwa kipindi cha mwaka mmoja tu?. Ina maana sasa hata mimi mkuu wa mkoa tayari nimeshaambukizwa, akahoji kwa masikitiko.
Kama mkuu wa mkoa, sipendi tabia hii ya kupika takwimu iendelee kwani inakwamisha harakati na mipango yetu dhidi ya UKIMWI
Hata hivyo kiongozi huyo alikiri kuwa kuna baadhi ya maeneo mkoani humo maambukizi ya VVU yalikuwa yanazidi kupanda wakati mengine yalikuwa yanashuka. Alitoa sababu za hali hiyo kuwa ni pamoja na uchumi  katika baaadhi ya familia kuwa mdogo na hulka ya mtu binafsi.
Bado watu wetu wanahitaji elimu kuhusu UKIMWI. Msibweteke na elimu mliyoita mwanzoni. Watu wanapaswa kupewa elimu ya ujasiri katika kupima VVU, elimu ya kuwahudumia wagon jwa, elimu ya kujikinga na maambukizi na elimu ya masula ya lishe na VVU—kusema ukweli bado inahitajika hapa, aliongeza Bi Mahiza
Kwa mujibu wa THMIS 2011-2012, asilimia 5.9 ya wanawake na wanaume kati ya miaka 15 na 49 wana maambukizi ya VVU mkoani Pwani . Hii ni zaidi ya asilimia 0.2 ya kiwango cha maambukizi ya kitaifa (5.7%)
Aidha, kiwango cha maambukizi ya VVU ni kikubwa zaidi maeneo ya mijini kwa wanawake na wanaume kuliko maeneo ya vijijini.
Naye kaimu mganga wa Mkoa Dk. Beatrice Byalugaba alibainisha kuwa baadhi ya wakazi wa Dar es salaam na mikoa mingine jirani wamekuwa wakifuata huduma za tiba za VVU (ARVS) mkoani hapo kwa kuogopa kujulikana mkoani kwao ili kukwepa unyanyapaa.
“Utashangaa wagonjwa wengine wakitoka Dar es salaam kuja kufuata huduma hapa kwetu. Ukiwauliza, wanasema wanaogopa kujulikana makwao,” alisema Dk. Byalugaba akisisitiza ukweli wa kwamba huenda mkoa huo unaonekana kuathirika zaidi kutokana na hali hiyo.
Kwa upande wake, Mwenyekiti wa tume Dk. Mrisho alitoa wito kwa mkoa kuanza kufikiria jinsi ya kuchangia katika harakati dhidi ya UKIMWI pasipo utegemezi wa wafadhili.
“Ni janga jipya la kitaifa jipya ikiwa hatutakuwa na mbinu zetu wenyewe za kulipia huduma za mapambano dhidi ya UKIMWI. Ni ukweli usiofichika tena kuwa wafadili wanazidi kujitoa na huenda mwakani hali ikawa mbaya zaidi,” alisema Dk. Mrisho aliyekuwa amefuatana katika ziara hiyo na mkuu wa kitengo cha sheria Bi Elizabeth Kaganda
Halmashauri zote nchini zimekuwa zikipata mgao wa fedha kutoka kwa wafadhili mbalimbai kupitia TACAIDS mara mbili kwa mwaka ili kutoa huduma mbalimbali za masuala ya UKIMWI. Lakini, kutokana na kujitoa kwa wafadahili, halmashauri hizo zitapaswa kujichangisha zenyewe ili huduma zilizokwisha anzishwa ziendelee, “la sivyohili  litakuwa janga jipya la kitaifa,” alibainisha Dk Mrisho

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AIDS-related deaths have fallen by nearly 40% since 2005 in Eastern and Southern Africa

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé

AIDS-related deaths have fallen by nearly 40% since 2005 in Eastern and Southern Africa

A ten-fold increase in access to antiretroviral therapy has contributed to significant declines in AIDS-related mortality and an average increase in life expectancy across the region

JOHANNESBURG, 30 July 2013—A new report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa shows that AIDS-related deaths are continuing to decline as access to antiretroviral therapy increases across the region.

Several countries, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe saw a reduction at least 50% in the number of AIDS-related deaths since 2005. The report outlines that TB/HIV related deaths also decreased––by about 30% from the peak in the mid 2000’s.

According to the report, the sharp declines in AIDS-related deaths are largely due to the widespread roll out of antiretroviral therapy. The number of people living with HIV accessing antiretroviral therapy increased from 625 000 in 2005 to 6.3 million in 2012 with coverage reaching particularly high levels in several countries including Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland and Zambia.

“Countries in eastern and southern Africa are making great strides in responding to HIV. This is good news––fewer people are dying of AIDS and fewer are becoming infected with the virus,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “It’s time to intensify our collective efforts to build on the progress and tremendous hope that has been brought to people across the region.”

Steep declines in new HIV infections

The report, Getting to Zero: the HIV epidemic in the eastern and southern Africa, highlights that the number of new HIV infections among children were reduced by half from 2001 to 2011 and new infections among adults aged 15-49 reduced by around a third. Services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in eastern and southern Africa increased to 72% in 2011 allowing nearly 700 000 pregnant women living with HIV access to medicines to keep their babies free from HIV––100 000 more than just one year earlier.

“In South Africa we have made significant progress in reducing new infections among children. We should keep the momentum going,” said South African Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. “We need to ensure that women continue to benefit from universal access to antiretroviral treatment so that we can reduce maternal mortality. No women or baby should be left behind.”

The report outlines that the number of new infections among adults also declined––from 1.7 million in 2001 to 1.2 million in 2011––with the rate of new infections declining by more than 50% in seven countries––Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“HIV prevention is critical to reducing the negative impacts of HIV and AIDS to the development of our people and economies,” said the Ethiopian Minister of Health, Dr Kesetebirhan Admassu. “Our government with the help of its partners is making every effort to expand primary health care at the grass root level to promote responsible and healthy sexual and reproductive health behaviour.”

Young women most affected by HIV

HIV prevalence among young women and men (aged 15–24 years) declined by 40% in 2011 compared to a decade earlier. However, new infections among young people remain particularly high––450 000 in 2011. The report also shows that young women (between 15–24 years old) in eastern and southern Africa region are particularly affected.  Estimated HIV prevalence among young was 4.5% in 2011––more than double the prevalence among young men.

“At the core of the high infections among women is not just the biological make up of women, but negative social norms and excessive violation of their basic human rights,” said Michaela Clayton Director of AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa. “We have to put in place and effectively implement laws and policies that protect women and ensure they have access to education that integrates health and sexuality education.”

The report notes that revised guidelines released by World Health Organization last month, recommend that people living with HIV start antiretroviral therapy much earlier and immediately in some instances. This, the report outlines, will enable countries to capitalize on the progress made to date and reach more people with lifesaving medicines.

“Civil society plays a critical role in ensuring access to treatment and holding governments accountable. We need to be vigilant about the human rights of people living with HIV and find better ways to deal with stigma and discrimination, which are still significant barriers to access to health services and live-saving treatment”, said Prudence Mabele, Executive Director of the Positive Women’s Network.
 

Contact

UNAIDS Johannesburg | Zenawit T. Melesse | +27 82 909 2637 | melessez@unaids.org

UNAIDS Pretoria | Natalie Ridgard | +27 83 642 6759 | ridgardn@unaids.org

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Sehemu za kazi ziwe muhimu katika kupiga vita UKIMWI, kujenga afya bora--TACAIDS

Dk Mrisho akipima urefu

TUME ya Kudhibiti UKIMWI (TACAIDS) imeyataka makampuni na waajiri nchini kuweka katika vitendo kauli ya "ukarimu huanzia  nyumbani" kwa kupima afya za wafanyakazi wao mara kwa mara ili kujenga nguvu kazi imara kwa maslahi ya taifa
Wito huo ulitolewa jana jijini Dar es Salaam na Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa TACAIDS Dk.Fatma Mrisho wakati wa bonaza la wafanyakazi wa Tume hiyo lilofanyaka katika viwanja vya Leaders Club vilivyoko Kinondoni.

Wafanyakazi wa TACAIDS wakipima afya zao

"Ni vema sasa makampuni, mashirika na waajiri wetu waweke utaratibu wa kupima afya za wafanyakazi wao mara kwa mara na wasisubiri mpaka wafanyazi waanguke kwa presha au kufariki ghafla....tusiendekeze mikutano na vikao tu na kusahau afya zetu,:" alisema Dk Mrisho katika mahojiano na waandishi wa habari waliofika viwanjani hapo.

Upimaji unaendelea

Katika bonaza hilo lilobeba kaulimbiu ya "ukarimu huanzia nyumbani-pima afya yako" wafanyakazi wa Tume pamoja na mamia ya wakazi wa Dar es salaam waliweza kupata ushauri nasaha na hatimae kupima Virusi Vya UKIMWI (VVU) kwa hiari.
Waliongozwa na Dk Mrisho ambaye alikuwa wa kwanza kuingia katika hema la kupima. --Zoezi hilo liliendeshwa na wataalamu kutoka hospitali ya Amana ya Ilala pamoja na wale kutoka shirika la afya la AMREF

Bw.Konga akijiandaa kupima huku kocha wa TACAIDS akiwa anakaguliwa tayari

Mbali na UKIMWI, wafanyakazi hao pia walipima vipimo vya shiniko la damu au presha (BP), sukari, uwiano wa urefu na uzito (body mass index).
"Tukio hili liwe kichocheo kwa makampuni na waajiri wengine nchini," akongeza Dk Mrisho huku akisema, vita dhidi ya UKIMWI inapaswa kupigwa kila kona kuanzia ngazi ya familia, sehemu ya kazi na kwingineko ili-mradi taifa linafikia lengo la maambukizi sifuri, vifo sifuri na unyanyapaa sifuri.

Tukapime bwana

Kumbe kupitia michezo na mikusanyiko kama hii, mwitikio wa watu kupima afya zao unakuwa mkubwa. Nimeona watu wengi wakijitokeza kupima afya zao...hili ni tukio kubwa ambalo halina budi kuigwa, akaongeza mwenyekiti huyo ambaye kitaaluma ni daktari
Akifafanua kuhusu tukio hilo, Meneja wa Habari wa Tume Bi Gloria Mziray amesema taasisi yake imejizatiti kuwa na matukio kama haya mara kwa mara ili kuhamasisha zaidi upimaji wa VVU mingoni mwa watanzania.

Twende bwana

Kwa mujibu wa ripoti mpya ya utafiti wa viashiria vya VVU na UKIMWI na Malaria Tanzania wa 2011-2012 (THMIS), upimaji wa VVU miongoni mwa wanawake na wanaume ni mkubwa zaidi mijini kuliko vijijini.
Utafiti huo pia unaonesha kuwa wanawake watatu katika kila wanawake 10 na zaidi ya asilimia 25 ya wanaume wamewahi kupima VVU na kupokea majibu miezi 12 kabla ya utafiti.
Aidha ikabainika pia kwamba, upimaji wa VVU unaongezeka sambamba na ongezeko la kiwango cha elimu kwa wanaume; huku asilimia 54 ya wanaume wenye elimu ya sekondari au zaidi wakiwa wamepima VVU na kupokea majibu ukilinganisha na asilimia 32 ya wanaume ambao hawana elimu.

The dream team-TACAIDS

"Nimefurahi kuwa leo nimeshiriki katika tukio hili la kujua afya yangu. Si tukio la mara kwa mara kusema ukweli. Mara nyingi sisi tuko bize na mikutano na mipango ya kitaifa huku tukisahau afya zetu wenyewe," akasema Bi.  Betty Malaki, afisa anayeshughulika na masuala ya Jinsia na UKIMWI katika Tume hiyo.

Ball control

Kauli hiyo iliungwa mkono na Afisa anayeshughulika na masuala ya Mwitikio wa Kitaifa kuhusu UKIMWI Dk. Kamugisha
"Mbali na kujenga urafiki na kuchangamsha miili yetu lakini pia tumeweza kujua hali ya afya zetu. Hii inatufanya tuishi kwa kujiamini," akaongeza Bi. Salome Gerald.
Mbali na upimaji wa afya, pia kulikuwa na utoaji elimu ya matumizi ya mipira ya kiume na kike (kondomu)--Dume na Lady Pepeta--zoezi lililosimamiwa na kuendeshwa na wataalam kutoka shirika la T-MARC.

Suleiman Kombo wa T-MARC akitoa elimu kuhusu kondomu

Waelimishaji, Bw. Suleiman Kombo na Bw.Seraphino Salema walikuwa na wakati mgumu katika kutoa ufafanuzi kwa wafanyazi wa Tume wa jinsi kondomu hizo zinavyotumika kwa usahihi bila kuleta madhara kwa mtumiaji.
Kwa mujibu wa THMIS-2011 na 2012, asilimia 27 ya wanawake na wanaume waliokuwa na wenzi zaidi ya mmoja miezi 12 iliyopita waliripoti kutumia kondomu mara ya mwisho walipojamiana.

Licha ya kufungwa 2-1, ni Shaffii Dauda wa Clouds FM aliyeondoka na kombe

Aidha, matumizi ya kondomu miongoni mwa watu wenye zaidi ya mmoja yanaongezeka sambamba na ongezeko la elimu.
Wakati huo huo, timu ya mpira wa miguu ya Tume iliibuka kidedea kwa kuilaza Clouds FM kwa magoli 2-1. Mpambano huo ambao ulikuwa sehemu ya bonaza hilo ulishuhudia Clouds FM wakiongoza kwa goli moja hadi mapumziko kufuatia shuti kali lilipigwa na straika Ephraim Elly lilomwacha mlinda mlango wa TACAIDS akiwa hana la kufanya.

Kukimbiza na kukamata kuku

Kipindi cha pili, TACAIDS, ikiongozwa na nahodha Simon Keraryo na winga mwenye mapafu kama ya mbuni, Konga, iliingia kama simba aliyejeruhiwa na kusawazisha goli dakika ya sita tu kupitia kwa Sixmund.

Bi Mrema ndani ya VCT

Dakika ya 20, Clouds FM ikiongozwa nja nahodha Shafii Dauda pamoja na kiungo mwenye mbwembwe kibao, Benny Kinyaiya walikubali goli la pili lililofungwa na Ally Mkuzo baada ya kazi nzuri ya Adebayor (rasta). Hadi mwisho wa mchezo TACAIDS wakaibuka washindi.

Mabingwa wa karata--hapa tupu, na hapo tupu...kalalaaa...

Hata hivyo, Clouds FM ndio walipewa kikombe kama kielelezo cha kutambua mchango wao wa kitaaluma wa kuendeleza kampeni dhidi ya VVU na UKIMWI kupitia vipindi mbalimbali vya redio. Shaffii Dauda akaahidi kuendeleza kampeni hizo kupitia Clouds FM.

RCT Chambo, tabasamu la bashasha baada ya kuibuka mshindi wa kukamata kuku

Picha zaidi ya matukio yaliyojiri katika bonanza la TACAIDS

Mahudhurio: Dr A Mulokozi hataki mchezo, anafuatilia mahudhrio!!

Sio mchuuzi wa kuku, la hasha, ni Dk.Kafura akifanya vitu vyake katika kusherehesha bonaza

Timu ya Clouds FM

Mwelimishaji wa T-MARC, Bw. Salema akitoa elimu juu ya matumizi kike, maarufu kama Lady Pepeta

Maandalizi ya game

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IAPAC Endorses UNAIDS Treatment 2015 Framework

A seasonal Care and Treatment photo

WASHINGTON, DC, USA (15 July 2013) - The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), representing 20,000+ members in over 100 countries, today endorsed a Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) framework meant to expand to 15 million the number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who benefit from the therapeutic and preventative effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by 2015.

The Treatment 2015 framework, launched by UNAIDS this past weekend at a Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Abuja, Nigeria, provides leadership on attaining the 2015 treatment goal by emphasizing the need to accelerate the speed of ART scale-up to outpace the HIV epidemic, focus on settings and populations with high HIV prevalence and significant unmet treatment need, and use innovation to translate science into action.

Furthermore, UNAIDS identifies three pillars as the foundation for the results-driven framework, including increasing demand for HIV testing and treatment services; mobilizing resources and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of spending; and ensuring more people have access to ART.

The framework's launch coincides with the release earlier this month of World Health Organization (WHO) "Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection," which recommend ART initiation at an earlier CD4 count threshold for most PLWHA. The number of those who are now clinically eligible for ART worldwide has thus increased to approximately 25 million. 

"Through the Treatment 2015 framework promoting speed, focus, and innovation, as well as across its three pillars, there exists a unique opportunity for our global membership to make a significant contribution toward quality ART scale-up, particularly in the 30 countries in which nine out of 10 people who are clinically eligible for ART but do not currently have access," said IAPAC President José M. Zuniga, PhD, MPH.

Zuniga continued that, "As a UNAIDS partner, IAPAC enthusiastically endorses the Treatment 2015 framework because of the bold goal it sets and the clear direction it provides for collective efforts to curb HIV morbidity and mortality. We also commit to delivering the guidance, training, and ongoing support necessary to achieve the quantitative and qualitative aspects of placing millions more people on ART."

IAPAC and UNAIDS signed a Memorandum of Understanding last month focused on expanding access to HIV prevention, testing, care, treatment, and support services globally. An objective of this new partnership is advancing innovative means by which to expand access in a way that takes into account the importance of optimizing the HIV treatment cascade. Zuniga explained that, "In doing so, we will address the testing, linkage to care, and long-term engagement in care barriers that attenuate the full benefit of ART."

Of note, an international IAPAC Advisory Panel led by Linda-Gail Bekker, MBChB, PhD (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Julio S.G. Montaner, MD (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada); Celso Ramos, MD, MSc (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); and Renslow Sherer, MD (University of Chicago, IL, USA) is updating and expanding IAPAC's 2012 "Guidelines for Improving Entry into and Retention in Care and Antiretroviral Adherence for Persons with HIV." Their work is expected to conclude with the publication of "IAPAC Guidelines on Optimizing the HIV Treatment Cascade" in late 2013/early 2014.

SOURCE: www.IAPAC.org

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Great news to Tanzania women: No new AIDS related and cancer deaths, No Stigma and discrimination

A heated debate and exchange of thoughts raged last Friday when representatives from women Living with HIV and AIDS met with the founders of the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative—UNAIDS and Susan G Komen—discussing on how to best save the colleagues who are HIV and AIDS affected or infected and later on succumb to breast or cervical cancer.

Dr Hedia Belhadj of UNAIDS responding to a question from participants

The core of the discussions based on a question posed by Nancy Brinker, Founder and Chair of Global Strategy at Susan G Komen and one of the panelists who asked in her opening remarks: what good is to save a woman from HIV and AIDS only to have her succumb to breast cancer, or to die of the most preventable causes.

Dr Alberic Kacou, UNDP Resident Rep at the podium

Other panelists included Dr Hedia Belhadj—Country Coordinator of UNAIDS, Dr Twalib Ngoma—Executive Director of Ocean Road Cancer Centre (ORCC), Ambassador Mark R. Dybul, former U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Ms Consolata John, Chairperson of Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (ZAPHA+)
Aimed at giving the voice of women affected and infected by HIV to speak about their experiences in accessing information and services as well as identifying ways to better mitigate the risk of exposure and better access to affordable screening and treatment of cervical and breast cancer the meeting was assured of renewed support from development partners and the government of Tanzania

Dr Twalib Ngoma of ORCC

We have seriously started working on the problem. We are working with both NACOPHA in the mainland and ZAPHA+ in the isles to tackle issues related to stigma and discrimination that are associated to HIV/AIDS and cancer complications among women, stated Dr Belhadj of UNAIDS
According to some unofficial data availed to this blog during the meeting UNAIDS has committed some 100,000US$ for  three-year time to address the problem. Other commitments are said to be coming from the USG—3m US$ and some other 1.2m US$ from an institution whose name was not easily availed.

Dr Nancy from Susan G.Komen

Likewise, three governments—Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana have agreed to team up to mobilize the resources for the same purposes.
In addition, the government of Tanzania through Ocean Road and other key partners has just completed a five-year national cervical cancer strategic plan, according to Dr Ngoma, the head of ORCC. “Everything is ready for the plan to commence".
We are just waiting for the funds. Our concentration on cervical cancer is because this is the very type of cancer that hits hard especially among the women—the most productive group in our society—the first to wake up in the morning and the last to retire, stated Dr Ngoma, vividly touched.

Ambassador Dybul

To Dr Ngoma, the step was like a miracles coming true. To be sincerely, in the past, it has been so difficult to access cancer related funds or supports. We have struggled here and there to secure funds but in vain. The funders’ attention was on Malaria, HIV and TB—this made cancer issues look like as “a no one business”
But now, with this new joint initiatives, the cancer community is slightly seeing the light of the day.

Participants

There were a lot of concerns that raised earlier by the participants. For instance, Monica from a Dar es Salaam based group expressed her concerns on how responsible authorities would work out to help rural women in need of cancer-related screening and services.
There was also the issue of giving regular capacities and confidence building to the women affected or infected with HIV, AIDS and cancer on how to better fight stigma and discrimination. This was raised by Ms Consolata John from ZAPHA+
Consolata highlighted other burning issues ahead of her community as poor nutrition and PMCTC challenges.

Participants

Vitalis Makayula—chairperson of the NACOPHA sent an alert note among the participants that: Let us not forget men involvement in this initiative. We may experience similar hardships as it happened during our early PMCTC campaigns
The PLHIV participants and breast cancer survivors came from various backgrounds, levels of education, residence, age and economic status. Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that causes cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, and oral cavity. It is the most common cancer among women in Tanzania and it is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women in the country.

Meeting in progress

Because cervical cancer is an opportunistic disease, being HIV positive increases the risk of developing cervical cancer by 4-5 folds.

UNAIDS staff

The joint statement by the event’s organizers described this state of affairs as a serious public health concern because while the national HIV prevalence is 5.1%, women aged 23-24 have an HIV prevalence of 6.6%, which is higher than the national prevalence and double their counterpart men   (2.8%)

The campaign

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