Background
In Tanzania, institutional efforts to combat HIV/AIDS started in 1985 by establishing a National Taskforce within the Ministry of Health. This was so because the HIV/AIDS epidemic was first perceived as a health problem, and the initial control efforts were formulated and based within the health sector. In 1988, the task force was transformed into a fully-fledged National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).
From 1989, AIDS Control efforts were decentralized to the regions and districts. From 1992, control efforts started also to be initiated within non-health sectors. By the year 2000, there were 23 other sectors that had joined the National Response to HIV/AIDS and have developed AIDS action plans including all the districts in the country.
During all this time, NACP remained the central coordinating Unit as a Secretariat to the National AIDS Committee (NAC). In addition to Coordination, the NACP continued to serve as the main implementing agent for the Ministry of Health as well as responding to needs of other non-health sectors.
Vision
An HIV-free society where new infections are halted and people living with HIV or affected by HIV and AIDS receive quality services and support.
Mission
To provide a results-oriented framework to lead and guide the decentralized health sector HIV response in the intensification, optimisation and scaling up of quality evidence-based interventions for HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services for PLHIV to facilitate the attainment of the âtriple 90â targets in Tanzania.
Goals
- To increase coverage of HIV and AIDS services in the general population and sub-populations to ensure that by 2020.
- There will be universal access to combination prevention services designed to reduce new HIV infections, HIV-related mortality, stigma and discrimination
- 90% of people living with HIV will know their status
- 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV are enrolled, followed up and receive timely and efficacious HAART
- 90% of all people receiving ART will attain sustainable viral suppression
- The capacity of the health system is strengthened to support quality HIV and AIDS interventions and foster integration within the health sector.
Core Value
- Equity
- Universal Access
- Gender and rights-based approach
- Decentralization
- Integration
- Community Participation in planning, monitoring and evaluating the response
- Meaningful Involvement of PLHIV
- Accountability