PARLIAMENT PRAISES GOVERNMENT’S SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HIV PREVENTION SERVICES

PARLIAMENT PRAISES GOVERNMENT’S SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HIV PREVENTION SERVICES

By Joseph Ngilisho – Dodoma

 The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV Affairs, chaired by Dr. Johannes Lukumay, has commended the Government for taking decisive measures to combat HIV in the country, including substantial investments in prevention, treatment, and care services under the National HIV Control Program (NASHCOP).

Dr. Lukumay made the remarks today, February 11, 2026, in Dodoma during a presentation on the implementation of the NASHCOP. He emphasized that the Government’s efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting the health of Tanzanians and mitigating the social and economic impact of HIV on communities and the nation at large.

During the briefing, the Committee Chair stressed the importance of policy strategies to mainstream the procurement of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs into the national budget, without affecting the overall national budget. He noted that this approach will ensure sustainable access to medication and reduce reliance on foreign aid.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Florence Samizi, stated that the Government continues to strengthen HIV response resources through the establishment of an HIV response levy and the integration of chronic disease services within the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) framework.

Dr. Samizi revealed that in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the Government allocated a total of TZS 142 billion for HIV response activities, and TZS 48 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year. She added that projected collections from the HIV response levy are expected to reach TZS 250 billion this year, with TZS 9.6 billion already disbursed for various response activities.

Regarding systems, the Deputy Minister noted that the Government is preparing to commence local production of ARV drugs to reduce dependence on foreign technologies. Additionally, enhancements to digital health systems are ongoing to facilitate accurate service data, improve patient tracking, and strengthen overall health program monitoring..

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