Press Release

The American People provide support to modern AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic in Kisarawe

June 30, 2008

A modern HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Clinic which will cater for more than 100,000 residents of Kisarawe District, Pwani region was launched on Saturday, June 28, 2008.

The launch which was done in the presence of US Ambassador to Tanzania Mark Green, Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social welfare Officials, Pwani Region and Kisarawe District authority teams, represents another milestone in the Region for HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment services. The clinic, which is supported by the American People through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been established in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ICAP Tanzania of Columbia University.

Built within the premises of Kisarawe District Council, the 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 are taking place.

Over 1,212 people have been enrolled in HIV care and treatment at the Kisarawe District Hospital since the program launched two years ago. Ten 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. Martha Kisanga, “I call on every person in Kisarawe District to come to the facility to test for HIV and know their status, and to use these facilities for AIDS treatment. And I call upon the leadership of the hospital and the staffs to ensure all those who need services receive them.”

U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Green, echoed this sentiment saying, “Take control of your own future, and we will stand with you as you do”.

Support for ICAP’s work 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.