Tanzania's northern region launches 7.5 mln USD HIV/AIDS campaign

Shinyanga region authorities in northern Tanzania on Thursday announced a 7.5 million U.S. dollars campaign to fight new HIV/AIDS infections.

The Shinyanga region authorities will team up with Doctors with Africa, an international non-profit organization from Italy and the Shinyanga Catholic Church towards implementation of the five-year-campaign.

Ariana Bortolani, Doctors with Africa Project Manager, said more than 300,000 people will be reached through education, testing and treatment by the time the campaign is completed in 2021.

"At least 20,000 patients who will be found infected with the disease will receive medical care and antiretroviral drugs for their entire lives," said Bortolani.

Bortolani said initially the project will be implemented in the Shinyanga municipality, and Kishapu district and other districts.

He said apart from testing and treatment, districts in this project will also benefit by getting medical supplies and infrastructure improvement at their health centers and dispensaries.

Shinyanga regional commissioner Zainab Terrack called on Shinyanga region residents to turn out in big numbers for HIV/AIDS counseling, testing and treatment during the campaign.

Statistics by the Tanzania National Aids Commission (TACAIDS) show that Shinyanga region, with 7.4 percent infections, is fourth in the east African nation's 30 regions for being infected by HIV/AIDS.

Njombe region in southern highlands is leading by 14 percent infections of the disease followed by Iringa region with 9.1 percent and Mbeya region by 9.0 percent. Endit