MORE than 2,000 HIV-positive people who had stopped using anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) were reached by peer educators last year in Coast region.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam at a handover of uniforms for peer educators which were donated by Tanga Cement Company Limited (TCCL) early this week, Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) Executive Director, Dr Redempta Mbatia, said out of 2,000 HIV-positive people, 1,752 returned to ARVs use.

"In the last year, peer educators managed to reach 14,380 targeted people and those who live with HIV in Coast region. That was a milestone in our efforts to reduce the habit of people stopping using ARVs," she said.

The uniforms worth Sh 11m were handed over to THPS by TCCL Acting Managing Director, Mr Reinhardt Swart, who said they would let peer educators be easily identified, hence be able to work more efficiently.

More than 900 peer educators under THPS will benefit from the TCCL donation, They are supposed to put the uniform on during their services to HIV victims at about 276 hospitals, dispensaries and health centres in Dar es Salaam, Coast and Mtwara regions.

Dr Mbatia said the peer educators, who are also HIV victims, were working as volunteers where there were few or no health service providers, educating new HIV victims and counseling them. "We work with them in order to reduce AIDS prevalence, new AIDS cases, stigma and fear among those in need of health services and assistance.

These peer educators also receive people who need to have HIV tests, advice them and give them directions where and when to get proper service while they also assist health providers," she said.

A peer educators' representative, Fred Masondele from Mara, said by adorning the uniform from TCCL, apart from being easily identifiable at their workplace, they will help to project a positive vision to the society.

"By wearing these uniforms, it will be easily for people needing our services to face us and we will also be respected in our streets," said Masondele.