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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