|
US to give more support for Aids fight
2007-12-12 09:46:16
By Lusekelo Philemon
The US government plans to avail over 818bn/- support toTanzania for implementation of HIV/Aids campaigns.
The assistance is being disbursed in the framework of the broader and international US President`s Emergency Plan for HIV/Aids Relief (Pepfar).
Speaking in a video conference (DVC) interview, Assistant Coordinator of the US Global Aids Office, Michele Moloney-Kitts said the funding was part of on-going US government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania, which had already reached over 750bn/-.
Speaking in the interview which was conducted Monday evening, the official pledged US commitments to support the country`s campaigns against the deadly HIV/AIDS. ``It`s the interest of US government that the partnerships achieve much more in the fight against HIV/Aids,`` she said.
Moloney-Kitts said his government was satisfied with the Tanzania`s government commitments towards the fight against HIV/Aids, which is affecting thousands of Tanzanians.
Under Pepfar, Tanzania is on the track to meet its final targets of 120,000 individuals on antiretroviral infections and care for 750,000 individuals including orphans and vulnerable children, and prevention of 500,000 new HIV infections.
According to the US government official, Pepfar`s success is rooted in support for the country-owned strategies. The next phase of Pepfar will focus on the expansion of life-saving treatment, comprehensive prevention programs and care for those in need.
Responding to some questions from Tanzania`s local journalists on HIV/Aids awareness levels and its new infections, Moloney-Kitts admitted that awareness and new infection rate in most of developing nations were high.
She attributed attitudinal and behavioral change was among the top reasons behind the problem.
Experience has shown that there was no link between awareness levels and the new infection rates-awareness level is high and infection rate also is high.
According to Moloney-Kitts, negligence and multiple partners were some of the critical causes of the problem in developing countries such as Tanzania.
``Changing people`s behaviors is an important component in dealing with HIV infection. Some people opt to have many sexual partners, and if not so some may have one partner but their relations do not last longer. This therefore puts many people at risk of contracting HIV.``
|
