AIDSRelief

 

Overseeing Quality Care and Treatment

In 2004, a consortium of five U.S. organizations led by Catholic Relief Services and including IMA, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, Catholic Medical Mission Board and Futures Group International, was awarded a grant under the US Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to provide medical care and treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS in 10 countries including Tanzania. Initially, project start up entailed work through faith-based hospitals and organizations (FBOs) and expanded to include government hospitals as a result of regionalization of care and treatment partners by the Government of Tanzania in 2006, expanding project support to four regions (Mara, Tanga, Manyara and Mwanza). As national partner capacity strengthened, the consortium began to transition the program to local partners for long-term sustainability in 2009. IMA’s long-term partner in Tanzania, Christian Social Commission of Tanzania, a national umbrella faith-based organization, was selected as one of the transition local partners.

Project Activities

 

AIDSRelief builds capacity for care and treatment by training health personnel in diagnosis and clinical management, strengthening laboratory capacity/supply chain management, building health management information systems, and providing site management. IMA supports site management in 32 public and faith-based local partner treatment facilities (LPTFs). Working in partnership with the Government of Tanzania and FBOs to support these LPTFs, IMA manages capacity building in financial and program management; supportive supervision and onsite mentorship; training in US Government grant regulations and compliance; support for workplan and budget development; and monitoring of technical assistance and commodity needs. IMA works with community groups through the Mennonite Church in Mara and the Anglican Church in Tanga, linking people living with HIV with facility-based care and treatment to assure a continuum of care. Coordination with Government Regional and District health management teams ensures sustainability and local ownership.

 

Achievements

• Transitioned eight sites to CSSC.
• Provided HIV care to 140,693 patients, including 92,673 females.
• Started 73,213 patients, including 47,665 females, on antiretroviral treatments.
• Maintained active antiretroviral treatments for 36,978 patients, including 24,941 females (630 pregnant).

 

Where We Work

Tanzania

 

Other HIV/AIDS Programs

Global Fund, Southern Sudan AIDS Commission