IPPMedia, 25 February 2014

As the world works on attaining the long term strategic approach of three zeros in fight against HIV/AIDS, the government has pledged full support to the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) to help achieve the goal.

The three zeros which stand for zero HIV new infections, zero discrimination against people living with HIV and zero AIDS related deaths.

Speaking over the weekend, Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) in Prime Minister's Office, Regina Kikuli said: "My office is ready to support you in your endeavors. We are ready to help you brave the challenges towards obtaining the goal. You simply need to keep us informed constantly.

The PS was addressing TACAIDS employees during the organisation's family day where matters pertaining to elimination of HIV infections at the family level and beyond were discussed.

She said with the prime minister's office being the coordinator of all HIV related interventions in the country; the support will be towards fighting HIV/AIDS.

One of the challenges that TACAIDS and other players are struggling to address is seeing that there will be no new HIV infections by 2018. Putting an end to AIDS related deaths is another challenge. However, TACAIDS has been working round the clock to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV which has been prevalent in the country.

Kikuli applauded TACAIDS' efforts in extending intervention in workplaces through its recently launched National Multi-Sectoral Sector Framework (NMSF-III).

Through the strategy, issues of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, blood pressure, diabetes and others are being addressed.
"The government is very much aware of increasing deaths related to the diseases. It is high time we put as much effort in such diseases as we have on HIV/AIDS," said Kikuli.

According to Kikuli, in 2007 the government through TACAIDS and other players started implementing the workplace policy on HIV. Eight years later, the policy has been widened to include other diseases that are claiming the nation's human resources.

Source: IPPMedia