USAID’s Police and Prisons project delivers HIV/AIDS services to over 223,000

DODOMA: THE government has commended the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for supporting the Police and Prisons Healthcare projects.

Mr Charles Nzanze, Director of Probation Services at the Ministry of Home Affairs, noted that the initiative has significantly improved access to healthcare services for prisoners, police and prison personnel, their families and the surrounding communities.

Representing the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Ally Gugu, Nzanze highlighted that the project has reached 223,201 people with HIV/AIDS services.

The five-year project, implemented in 35 districts across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, aims to enhance access, quality and comprehensive HIV and TB prevention, care and treatment services in 64 supported health facilities.

Between August 2020 and July 2024, the project reached 223,201 people with HIV/AIDS services, with 8,214 individuals learning their HIV-positive status and being linked with medical service providers.

ALSO READ: Govt commends USAID for support in health sector

The project also provided essential medical equipment, such as X-ray machines, to some police and prison health facilities. During the same period, 2,797 people were diagnosed with tuberculosis and began treatment at various health facilities.

“It is evident that the USAID Police and Prisons Healthcare project has highlighted the need to improve access to healthcare services for prisoners, police and prison personnel, their families and the neighbouring communities around the 64 health facilities nationwide,” said Nzanze.

The project, funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is implemented by Tanzanian Health Promotion Support (THPS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Police Medical Unit (PMU) and Prisons Health and Nutrition Unit (PHNU), which oversee health matters.

Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Camillus Wambura, DCP Lucas Mkondya thanked PEPFAR, USAID and THPS for their support and implementation of the project.

He noted that health service providers in both prisons and police facilities have received training in various areas, including the prevention and treatment of diseases.

TPHS Chief Operations Officer (CEO) George Anatory commended the government for its cooperation during the project’s implementation and called for further collaboration to address other diseases, particularly non-communicable ones.