MWANZA: THE government has pledged to continue strengthening efforts to combat HIV/AIDS by improving the implementation environment and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders involved in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.
It has continued to allocate resources for coordinating and implementing HIV/AIDS programmes while working with stakeholders to address challenges in the fight against the epidemic
Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Jim Yonazi, made the commitment recently in Mwanza after visiting groups of people living with HIV in Nyamagana District.
“Collaboration is very important because we believe it has the capacity to help us overcome challenges in the fight against HIV. On our part, we have continued to join forces in this struggle,” he said.
He said the Prime Minister’s Office will continue coordinating government interventions to ensure people living with HIV received essential supplies and services on time and in line with required health standards and procedures.
Dr Yonazi also urged Tanzanians to undergo regular HIV testing to know their status and seek early treatment and professional advice if they test positive.
Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary Balandya Elikana said the region had strengthened HIV prevention and treatment interventions in collaboration with health-sector stakeholders and committees responsible for implementing prevention strategies.
He said the measures focused on expanding access to quality HIV prevention and treatment services while educating communities on ways to prevent new infections.
“The community continues to be sensitised on voluntary HIV testing and the proper use of preventive measures against HIV transmission,” he said.
Mwanza Regional Medical Officer Dr Kheri Kagya said the region’s HIV prevalence stood at 4.7 per cent, slightly above the national rate of 4.4 per cent, according to the 2022/23 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS).
He said the DHIS2 Annual Report for 2025/26 estimated that Mwanza had 112,685 people living with HIV.
Dr Kagya said the region was working with stakeholders to promote HIV prevention, including the proper use of condoms.
During the 2025/26 financial year, he said, Mwanza distributed 2,265,772 condoms in communities, particularly in guest houses, alcohol outlets, entertainment venues and other areas with large gatherings.
He said continued public education, testing, prevention and access to treatment remained essential to reducing new HIV infections and improving the wellbeing of people living with HIV.
