The Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) has announced new measures to curb HIV infections among young people by expanding testing services, strengthening prevention education and increasing the use of technology.

TACAIDS ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‌‍‍⁠⁠⁠‌‌executive director, Adam Mrisho, made the announcement during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS in Dodoma, the capital.

Mr Mrisho said about 90,000 community health workers would receive training to provide HIV prevention and self-testing services, particularly to people living in rural areas.

He said the initiative was part of government efforts to reduce new HIV infections and achieve the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“The commission is committed to ensuring that education reaches communities to encourage people to test and promote the use of medication among those diagnosed with HIV,” Mr Mrisho said.

He added that TACAIDS would strengthen cooperation with the private sector and improve 32 knowledge centres that provide HIV prevention education, testing and antiretroviral services.

Mr Mrisho said the centres would also target young people, including long-distance truck drivers, who required greater access to HIV information, prevention services and treatment.

Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office responsible for policy, parliament, coordination and persons with disabilities, called for stronger multisectoral cooperation and increased domestic financing for the HIV response.

He urged authorities to bring HIV services closer to communities and strengthen technology-based interventions, particularly those targeting young people and women.

Johannes Lukumay, chairperson of the parliamentary committee, urged the government to intensify voluntary HIV testing and education in workplaces, transport corridors and regions with high infection rates.

(Xinhua/NAN)