MWE Correspondent
The Tanzanian government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening HIV/AIDS interventions by improving the environment for implementation and enhancing collaboration with various stakeholders in the fight against HIV.
The statement was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Jim Yonazi, during a visit to Nyamagana District in Mwanza, where he inspected activities being implemented by groups of people living with HIV.
Dr Yonazi said the government has continued to improve the implementation environment and allocate funds to coordinate and support HIV-related interventions across the country, in collaboration with different stakeholders.
He stressed that partnerships remain critical to sustaining progress in the national HIV response, noting that government institutions, communities and development partners must continue working together to address the challenges posed by HIV.
“Cooperation is very important because we believe it can help us overcome the challenges in the fight against HIV,” Yonazi said.
He added that the Prime Minister’s Office, which is responsible for coordinating government activities, including HIV-related programmes, would continue ensuring that essential equipment and services reach people living with HIV on time and at the required quality, while observing established health regulations and procedures.
Yonazi also urged members of the public to undergo regular HIV testing to know their status and take early action if they are found to have the virus. He said early diagnosis and appropriate care can help people living with HIV protect their health and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
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Meanwhile, Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary, Balandya Elikana, said the region had taken significant measures to strengthen the fight against HIV through collaboration with health-sector stakeholders and committees responsible for implementing HIV prevention strategies.
Elikana said the region continues to promote access to quality HIV prevention services and public education, including voluntary testing and the correct use of preventive measures.
He added that Mwanza was working closely with health organisations and other stakeholders to improve prevention and treatment services across the region.
Mwanza Regional Medical Officer, Dr Kheri Kagya, said the region has an HIV prevalence rate of 4.7 percent, compared with the national rate of 4.4 percent, according to findings from the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) 2022/2023.
He said the 2025/2026 DHIS2 Annual Report estimates that Mwanza has 112,685 people living with HIV.
Dr Kagya said the region, in partnership with stakeholders, has continued providing education on HIV prevention, including promoting the correct and consistent use of condoms.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, he said, Mwanza distributed a total of 2,265,772 condoms to communities, particularly in guesthouses, bars, entertainment venues and various public gatherings.
The government says continued collaboration among public institutions, communities and health stakeholders remains essential to strengthening HIV prevention, treatment and support services across Tanzania.
