Tanzania's escalating HIV epidemic is contributing to the country’s health crisis, as well as high maternal mortality rates and severe health worker shortages. But infant mortality has fallen by a quarter in the last five years due to improved access to health care and better environmental sanitation.
AMREF works all over the country, empowering communities and supporting the government at all levels to identify and address major health needs. We have tested half a million people for HIV in a programme that has been adopted and scaled up by the government.
Major health challenges
More than 2.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and an estimated 2 million children have been orphaned as a result of the disease. Despite this, awareness is low and half of all new infections occur among the 15-24 year-old age group.
Malaria is one of the biggest killers in Tanzania and accounts for the deaths of 80,000 children under-five every year. Health conditions are particularly poor in rural areas because of the lack of front-line community health workers and access to clean water.
Gender stereotypes are strong, with girls and women being passive participants in decision-making at all levels. As a result, Tanzania has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world. In extreme cases gender-based violence, sexual abuse and female genital mutilation becomes the norm.
AMREF is:
- Encouraging people to get themselves tested for HIV through the Angaza project and reducing the stigma attached to the disease
- Empowering women to recognise their reproductive health rights and be able to openly discuss the issue with their spouses.
- Raising awareness of sexual health issues amongst young people through the Mema Kwa Vijana project, which means ‘Good Things For Young People’.
- Funding HIV organisations throughout the country as the major recipient of the Global Fund for HIV, TB and malaria.
- Improving water, sanitation and reproductive health services and reducing childhood illnesses in Mukaranga district.