Press Release
The American People provide support to modern AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic in Chalinze
June 3, 2008
A modern HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic which will cater for more than 30,000 residents of Chalinze Township and its suburbs in Bagamoyo District, Pwani region was launched Thursday, May 29, 2008 in Chalinze.
The building of this new AIDS care treatment center has been possible because of the generous support from the American People through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief via the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) and Columbia University.
The launch represents another milestone step the Region in collaboration with CDC and Columbia University; International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment (ICAP Tanzania) is undergoing to fight HIV/AIDS pandemic. The modern new clinic will provide free AIDS treatment services with Anti Retroviral Drugs (ARV) throughout the week (5 working days) using a well trained and skilled medical staff in collaboration with ICAP-Tanzania of Columbia University, who have worked in partnership with the region to ensure high quality AIDS Care and Treatment programs.
Over 500 people have been enrolled in HIV care and treatment at the Chalinze AIDS Treatment facility since the program launched 12 months ago. Nine (9) AIDS care and treatment centers across the region offer services, as well as 31 facilities offering Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services.
According to District Medical Officer, Dr. Maryland Ntiro, “I call on every person in Chalinze and Bagamoyo District at large, to come to the facility to test for HIV and know their status, and to use these services for AIDS treatment if they are found to be infected. And I call upon the leadership of the hospital and the staffs to ensure all those who need services receive them.”
Country Director Amy Cunningham says, “As International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment (ICAP), we are thrilled with the leadership of the region in fighting this epidemic, and commitment to a vision of a Tanzania bila Ukimwi!”
In addition to support for clinical care services, ICAP Tanzania is also strengthening the community response. Cunningham noted that, “ICAP also launched Innovative Family Support Groups for HIV positive pregnant women and their families at Chalinze Health Center and Bagamoyo District Hospital, Lugoba Health Centers, Mkuranga District Hospital and Tumbi Regional Hospital. These Groups support women to receive Drugs for Prevention Transmission to their baby, support, education and hope.”
Support for the clinic in Pwani is part of on-going U.S. Government support to Tanzania. By the end of this fiscal year, America will have provided over $818 million to Tanzania towards combating HIV/AIDS. This assistance comes from the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 billion Tanzanian shillings.
For more information about the Care and Treatment Centers or other PEPFAR related programs, please contact the Press Office at the U.S. Mission at 266-8001 ext. 4181 or Judy Wiegert, PEPFAR media outreach coordinator at the same number.