the united republic of tanzania health sector hiv and aids strategic plan

Only a few women (17%) and men (19%) know that there are special drugs that can be given to
pregnant women infected with HIV to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby vi .
Low uptake of maternal and infant ARV prophylaxis
Limited access of pregnant women and children to a comprehensive package of Reproductive
Health and HIV prevention, care and treatment services
Inadequate staffing (number and skills) in the health facilities
Weak coordination of implementing partners
NACP PMTCT Unit engaged in implementing instead of coordination
Equity, gender and sustainability considerations
Women confront a number of gender-based obstacles in accessing PMTCT services such as, utilizing HIV
testing and counseling services in RCH, using ARV prophylaxis or engaging in alternative infant feeding
practices. The role of men in facilitating and supporting women in preventing HIV, fighting stigma and
discrimination at home and at the community level is of crucial importance and needs to be addressed.
Strategic objective
Reduce the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children and ensure entry into care and treatment for
mothers, families and babies.
Strategies
Advocate for and increase awareness and communication to addressing PMTCT and paediatric HIV
prevention, care, treatment and support among key stakeholders at all levels
Strengthen the provision of PMTCT in all sectors and to all levels of health facilities
o Decentralize responsibility of PMTCT planning and implementation to the Zonal, Regional
and District levels
o Ensure the continuous availability of good quality medicines, diagnostics and other medical
supplies for PMTCT
Improve delivery of community PMTCT and referral of HIV-infected women, their children and
families
Improve programme management, coordination and supervision for PMTCT programme
activities at all levels
o Operationalize the linkage between the delivery of PMTCT and reproductive health and
other health services
o Improve the monitoring and evaluation of PMTCT including surveillance and research
o Mobilize resources to implement the 2008-12 Strategic Plan
Targets
At least 80% of women living with HIV enrolled in PMTCT and care and treatment services
receive family planning services (either on site or through referrals)
HIV positive pregnant women who receive ARVs prophylaxis increased to at least 80%
At least 60% of infants born to women living with HIV receive co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for 24
months
At least 96% of pregnant women living with HIV receive continuous and sustained infant feeding
counselling by a trained counsellor
At least 80% of infants born to women with unknown HIV status are screened for HIV exposure
at age of 6-8 weeks.
All referral, regional, district hospitals and at least 76% of health centres and 44% of
dispensaries with RHC services provide integrated PMTCT services according to national
guidelines
24 |FINAL COMBINED-HSHSP 2008-2012: June 24 th 2007