A HEALTH intervention has significantly reduced HIV infection rates in Kigoma Region, cutting prevalence from 3.4 percent in 2012 to 1.7 percent in 2024, marking a major step forward in the fight against the epidemic.

The achievement comes as part of Regional and Council Health Management Team (RCHMT) collaboration with Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) under ‘Afya Hatua’, a project funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Kigoma Regional AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections  (STI) and Hepatitis Coordinator  Dr Hosea William, highlighted the milestone recently during a THPS media tour at Kiganamo  Health Centre in  Kasulu Town Council and Gungu Health Centre in Kigoma Municipal Council.

He said the achievement reflects consistent investment in health services, wider access to treatment and sustained community awareness campaigns that have empowered people to protect themselves and seek early care.

Vumilia Simbeye, Kasulu Town Council Executive Director noted that the government’s investment in the health sector has been widely applauded for providing the necessary support to HIV prevention.

‘‘The investment has provided the essential support we need to strengthen HIV prevention efforts across Kasulu. The initiatives have begun showing positive results in our communities,” he noted.

“In Kasulu, men’s active participation in maternal health programmes has challenged the long-standing belief that maternal care is solely a mother’s responsibility. Their engagement has played a critical role in the success of HIV prevention from mother to child.”

Dr Peter Janga, Kasulu Town Council Medical Officer, noted that although other centres perform well in providing HIV prevention services, Kiganamo Health Centre has stood out as a centre of excellence, thanks to THPS support at both the community and clinic levels.

Dr Geofrey Tarimo, THPS Programme Manager in Kigoma Region stated that in the region’s nine councils, HIV infections have declined due to strict adherence to treatment.

"Across 74 centres in the nine councils, we have observed a significant decline in HIV infections. This success is largely due to patients’ consistent adherence to treatment combined with ongoing community outreach, awareness campaigns and support from our health programmes. These efforts prove that coordinated interventions can make a real difference in controlling HIV,” he said.

Dr Rosemary Japhet,  Kiganamo  Health Centre Care and Treatment in charge and antiretroviral therapy (ART) Clinician expressed the success of HIV prevention programs for mothers, highlighting the positive outcomes for children born to mothers living with the virus.

"We are proud to see children born to mothers living with HIV arriving safely. This is the result of the dedication of our team and these mothers. The community must eliminate negative perceptions — a mother living with HIV can have a healthy pregnancy and give birth to an HIV-free child.”

Yethero Mgale, Community Services Field Officer for the Afya Hatua project in Kigoma Region, said the campaigns provide HIV testing and counseling, distribution of HIV self-testing kits (HIVST), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services, as well as education and condom distribution.

"So far, Gungu Health Centre has registered 187 young women engaged in sex work and linked them to preventive treatment (PrEP) services," said Mgale.

Hadija Ramadhani, a beneficiary of preventive treatment (PrEP), said the medication has protected her from HIV infection since she began using it, and she urged other at-risk young women to accept and use it as well.

THPS collaborates with the Government of Tanzania, including the Ministries of Health both in the Mainland and Zanzibar, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar, the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to guarantee accessible and high-quality healthcare services to Tanzanians.