Access to Effective Antiretroviral Combinations

Location: Bukoba

Situation:

Considered as an island of stability in the region, Tanzania has welcomed more refugees than any other country in Africa following the conflicts suffered by its neighbours Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The last decade has been notable for the introduction of reforms and relatively sustained economic growth. The remaining challenges are to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS and to improve living conditions for the most disadvantaged groups. Around seven percent of the adult population lives with HIV and antenatal consultations have shown prevalence rates ranging from five to fifteen percent in some regions, even though these rates have fallen in the last ten years.

Activities:

• MdM supports the clinic run by TADEPA, a local organisation, with treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections in people living with AIDS and with prevention campaigns which actively involve the communities.
• Since 2004, an ambitious Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) programme has enabled more than 1,500 patients to access tritherapies. In particular, HIV-positive pregnant women, patients with advanced, life-threatening HIV infection and hospital staff and their families have benefited.

Outlook:

Continuation of all these activities in 2007 and the development of access to effective anti-retroviral combinations in rural areas by providing support to three district hospitals.

Project start date: October 2004