STANDING PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS, LED BY DR. LUKUMAY, COMMENDS GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO CONTROL HIV/AIDS
Procurement of ARVs to Be Integrated into National Budget
By Joseph Ngilisho – DODOMA
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS, chaired by Dr. Johannes Lukumay, has commended the Government for strengthening the national response to HIV/AIDS through increased direct investment in prevention, treatment, and care services for citizens.
The commendation was issued on February 11, 2026, in Parliament in Dodoma during the presentation of the evaluation report on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan (NASHCOP). The Committee stated that the Government’s actions demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding the health of Tanzanians and reducing the impact of new infections.
Dr. Lukumay noted that the Government’s efforts to enhance domestic resource mobilization in the fight against HIV/AIDS are laying a solid foundation for the sustainability of the health system while reducing dependence on external funding in this critical sector.
He further stated that the Committee supports the strategic decision to integrate the procurement of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) directly into the national budget, emphasizing that the move will ensure sustainable access to medication and strengthen the management of health resources.
For her part, Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Florence Samizi, said the Government has continued to expand funding sources for the national HIV/AIDS response through the introduction of the HIV/AIDS response levy and the integration of services for opportunistic infections into the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) benefits package.
She explained that in the 2024/2025 financial year, the Government allocated TZS 142 billion for HIV/AIDS response activities, while TZS 48 billion has been allocated for the 2025/2026 financial year.
“Revenue from the HIV/AIDS response levy is expected to reach TZS 250 billion this year, of which TZS 9.6 billion has already been disbursed to support the implementation of various interventions,” said Dr. Samizi.
In another strategic move, the Government is continuing preparations to establish local production of ARVs to reduce reliance on foreign technology and strengthen the reliability of drug supply for patients.
Additionally, improvements to digital health systems are ongoing to enhance data collection efficiency, patient monitoring, and the management of health programmes nationwide.
Health experts state that sustained implementation of these measures could significantly strengthen the country’s progress in reducing new HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.
Ends
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