AHF Capitalises on Empowerment to Cut New HIV Infections 

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Tanzania is using economic empowerment alongside prevention and treatment services to reduce new HIV infections among vulnerable groups. 

AHF Prevention Programme Coordinator Dr Maige Charles said programmes such as Girls Act and Isuto Men equip beneficiaries with vocational skills, including hairdressing, soap-making, and barbering, helping them earn income and reduce economic vulnerabilities linked to HIV risk. 

The organisation also supports access to condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), HIV testing, laboratory services and treatment, reaching people in remote, mining and fishing communities who may struggle to access health facilities. 

According to the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey 2022–2023, HIV incidence among adults was 0.18 per cent, equivalent to about 60,000 new infections each year. Adult HIV prevalence was 4.4 per cent, representing approximately 1.55 million people living with HIV. 

Viral load suppression among adults living with HIV stood at 78 per cent, with higher rates among women at 80.9 per cent compared with 72.2 per cent among men. 

(Source: Daily News)