Happy Lazaro And Edward Selasini
13 December 2008
Arusha — As Arushans mark end of year festivities with lavish parties, there are also positive reports that the HIV prevalence rate has in recent years dropped from 5.3 to 1.4 per cent according to statistics made available during the World AIDS Day on December 1.
Country wide HIV prevalence is reported to have dropped from 7.0 to 5.8 percent. The estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania is 1.3 million.
But people living with HIV-AIDS (Tumaini Positive) have immediately countered the statistical reports provided by the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) saying that they are not correct. Tumaini Positive made their judgement basing on the visible devastation of the disease and the risky sexual behaviour of people.
During the World AIDS Day, Arusha's Regional Commissioner Isidore Shirima relayed the TACAIDS statistics to the people of Arusha who assembled at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium but warning that people should not lay back and celebrate because the AIDS pandemic was still as dreadful as before.
He said the problem was still looming as about 50 per cent of hospital beds are occupied by people infected with HIV.
Mr. Shirima outlined the adverse effects of HIV/AIDS in the region saying that overall the life expectancy of the people has dropped from 52 years to 45 years by 2004. Life expectancy now is 15 years below the age of 60 years which is the compulsory retirement age for civil servants.
The most vulnerable age group is 18 to 40 years thus affecting the most productive section of the population, a blow to the economic development of the country.
Not only have AIDS deaths led to a large number of orphans but have also sent many kids to live in the streets and eventually contributing to criminal acts. It is estimated that Arusha now has 400 children living in horrid conditions in streets. Most of them lost their parents due to aids.
Mr. Shirima noted that the decrease in the rate of HIV infections in the region, and the nation as a whole was due to the population awareness of the killer disease and methods of prevention. Arusha region conducted a voluntary HIV test campaign from September 9, 2007 to August 31, 2008 which saw 183,762 volunteering for the HIV test conducted free of charge in various locations across the region. Out of those who volunteered for the test, 2.3 percent were found to be HIV infected.
He attributed the "success" in cutting down the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate to efforts by various stakeholders. The fight against AIDS has brought together concerted efforts of the government at all levels, the general public, religious organizations, politicians, the media and corporate entities, among others.
But as TACAIDS is saying there is success in the fight against AIDS quoting statistics of the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, those living with AIDS say they do not believe in those figures.
Reading a statement during the climax of the World AIDS Day at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, the Menonite Positive Group chairperson, Michael Antony said the statistics by TACAIDS give an impression that the AIDS pandemic was soon coming to an end.
"That is not the case. The promiscuous behaviour of people paints a different picture," he said adding that there was great need to have the TACAIDS statistics reviewed.
Mr. Antony said he was amazed by the increasing number of people seeking anti-retroviral drugs and orphans left behind by AIDS victims an indication that HIV/AIDS was becoming more rampant and the war against AIDS was far from being won.
He said people living with HIV/AIDS who are using anti-retroviral drugs need also support in terms of food handouts.
This year's AIDS Day theme was Lead, Empower, and Deliver. In Tanzania the fight against HIV/AIDS is adversely affected by lack of resources.
The Tanzania Commission for AIDS Act No. 22 of 2001 gave TACAIDS the mandate of coordinating, managing and funding the HIV and AIDS epidemic interventions for Tanzania Mainland.
TACAIDS formulates policies and guidelines for coordination, management and funding.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Arusha Times. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
